Catalytic boronate ester synthesis from boron reagents and hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

A process for producing a ring-substituted arene borane which comprises reacting a ring-substituted arene with an HB organic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an iridium or rhodium complex with three or more substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium or rhodium and a phosphorus organic ligand, which is at least in part bonded to the iridium or rhodium, to form the ring-substituted arene borane. Also provided are catalytic compounds for catalyzing the process comprising an iridium or rhodium complex with three or substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium or rhodium and optionally, a phosphorus organic ligand, which is at least in part bonded to the iridium or rhodium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No.60/305,107, filed Jul. 13, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was supported in part by National Institutes of Health,National Institute of General Medical Sciences Grant No. R01 GM63188-01and in part by National Science Foundation Grant No. CHE-9817230. TheU.S. government has certain rights in this invention.

REFERENCE TO A “COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC”

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a process for producing aring-substituted arene borane which comprises reacting aring-substituted arene with an HB organic compound in the presence of acatalytically effective amount of an iridium or rhodium complex withthree or more substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium orrhodium and a phosphorus organic ligand, which is at least in partbonded to the iridium or rhodium, to form the ring-substituted areneborane. The present invention further relates to compounds forcatalyzing the process comprising an iridium or rhodium complex withthree or substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium orrhodium and optionally, a phosphorus organic ligand, which is at leastin part bonded to the iridium or rhodium.

(2) Description of Related Art

Alkyl and arylboronic esters and acids are versatile alkyl and aryltransfer reagents in organic chemistry wherein the boron serves as a“mask” for a broad range of heteroatoms and functional groups. Some ofthe most remarkable and broadly used applications of organoboronchemistry are catalytic cross-coupling reactions of C—B and C—X (X=Cl,Br, or I) groups which yield new C—C bonds as shown below.

In the pharmaceutical industry, organoboron complexes are key buildingblocks for drug manufacturing, versatile reagents for high-throughputparallel synthesis in drug discovery, and exhibit some useful and uniquebiological activities.

Arylboronate esters and the corresponding acids are presently preparedby reacting Grignard reagents generated from halogenated aromatics andmagnesium metal with alkyl borate reagents. A related method involvesthe reaction of alkyllithium reagents with aromatic halides or arenas togenerate lithium reagents which are subsequently reacted with alkylborates. Significant limitations of the current technologies include:(1) the reactions are run in ethereal solvents, (2) halogenatedaromatics must be synthesized from hydrocarbon feedstocks, (3) forlarge-scale synthesis, unreacted chlorinated aromatic starting materialsand biaryl byproducts can create significant environmental hazards andpose waste disposal problems, (4) in some instances attempted productisolation has resulted in explosions attributed to unreacted lithium andmagnesium intermediates, (5) Grignard and organolithium reagents can beincompatible with a range of common functional groups including esters,amides, bromides, chlorides, iodides, alcohols, acids, and the like, and(6) cryogenic cooling is sometimes required to prevent side reactions.

In light of the above limitations of the current processes for producingboronate esters and acids, there remains a need for a general syntheticroute to synthesizing boronate esters and acids which does not have thelimitations of the current processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a catalytic composition comprising aniridium or rhodium complex with three or more substituents, excludinghydrogen, bonded to the iridium or rhodium. In a further embodiment, thepresent invention provides a catalytic composition comprising an iridiumor rhodium complex with three or more substituents, excluding hydrogen,bonded to the iridium or rhodium and a ligand selected from the groupconsisting of a phosphorus organic ligand, an organic amine, an imine, anitrogen heterocycle, and an ether in a molar ratio between about 1 to 3and 1 to 1, wherein the ligand is at least in part bonded to the iridiumor rhodium.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphorusorganic ligand is selected from the group consisting of trimethylphosphine (PMe₃), 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe), and1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe).

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (ArH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein ArH is selected from the groupconsisting of aromatic, heteroaromatic, polyaromatic, andheteropolyaromatic hydrocarbon; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (MesH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein MesH is mesitylene; and BY is a boronmoiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or 2; and BY isa boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, andR₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or2; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected from thegroup consisting of a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl,branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected fromthe group consisting of a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is {(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PY₇P)) wherein BY is a boron moiety;(PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and acarbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety;Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃))wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and(PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and acarbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety;R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is {(PP)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PP)) wherein BY is a boron moiety andwherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄,Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃))wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; andwherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety;R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; and (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PP)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety and wherein (PP) isof the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl,alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branchedalkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety;Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃))wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and(PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and acarbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄,Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃))wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; andwherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety;R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety;R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the iridiumcomplex is selected from the group consisting of (Cp*)Ir(H)₂(Me₃P),(Cp*)Ir(H)(BPin)(Me₃P), (CP*)Ir(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P), (Ind)Ir(COD),(MesH)Ir(BPin)(B(OR)₂), ((R₁)₃P)₃Ir(B(OR₂)₂)₃, (R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃,[((R₁)₂P)₃Ir((R₂O)₂B)₃]₂, ((R₁)₃P)₄Ir(BPin), ((R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃,(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃, IrCl(COD), and [IrCl(COD)]₂, wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, P is phosphorus, Ind is indenyl, COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene,MesH is mesitylene, and wherein R, R₁, and R₂ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the rhodiumcomplex is (Cp′)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, andY₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide,alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁,R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0 or 1; BY is aboron moiety; and Cp′ is of the formula

wherein R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the rhodiumcomplex is (Cp′)(P(R₁₀(R₁₁)(R₁₂))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein R₁₀, R₁₁,and R₁₂ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0 or 1;BY is a boron moiety; and Cp′ is of the formula

wherein R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a preferred embodiment of the above iridium and rhodium catalyticcompositions, BY is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.

In a further embodiment of the catalytic composition, the rhodiumcomplex is selected from the group consisting of (Cp*)Rh(H)₂(Me₃P),(Cp*)Rh(H)(BPin)(Me₃P), (CP*)Rh(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P), and(Cp*)Rh(hexamethylbenzene), wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, and P is phosphorus.

The present invention provides a process for producing aring-substituted arene borane which comprises reacting aring-substituted arene with an HB organic compound in the presence of acatalytically effective amount of an iridium or rhodium complex withthree or substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium orrhodium, to form the ring-substituted arene borane.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a process forproducing a ring-substituted arene borane which comprises reacting aring-substituted arene with an HB organic compound in the presence of acatalytically effective amount of an iridium or rhodium complex withthree or substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium orrhodium and a phosphorus organic ligand, in a molar ratio of complex toligand between about 1 to 3 and 1 to 1, wherein the ligand is at leastin part bonded to the iridium or rhodium, to form the ring-substitutedarene borane.

Preferably, the phosphorus organic ligand is selected from the groupconsisting of trimethyl phosphine (PMe₃),1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe), and1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe).

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(ArH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein ArH is selected from the group consisting ofaromatic, heteroaromatic, polyaromatic, and heteropolyaromatichydrocarbon; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(MesH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein MesH is mesitylene; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl,alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or 2; and BY isa boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl,branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or 2; andBY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide(—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and acarbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected from the group consistingof a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; andBY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branchedalkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected from thegroup consisting of a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is{(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PY₇P)) wherein BY is a boron moiety; (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄, Y₅, andY₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide,alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁,R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; R₁₄, R₁₅,and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is{(PP)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PP)) wherein BY is a boron moiety and wherein (PP) isof the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and wherein (PP) is of theformula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; R₁₄, R₁₅,and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and wherein(PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety; and (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PP)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety and wherein (PP) is of theformula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)),and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon ina cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, anda carbon in a cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moiety.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄, Y₅, andY₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide,alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁,R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and wherein (PP) is of theformula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety; R₁₄, R₁₅,and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; (PY₇P) isR₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is(PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moiety; R₁₄, R₁₅,and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and wherein(PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the iridium complex is selectedfrom the group consisting of (Cp*)Ir(H)₂(Me₃P), (Cp*)Ir(H)(BPin)(Me₃P),(CP*)Ir(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P), (Ind)Ir(COD), (MesH)Ir(BPin)(B(OR)₂),((R₁)₃P)₃Ir(B(OR₂)₂)₃, (R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃, [((R₁)₂P)₃Ir((R₂O)₂B)₃]₂,((R₁)₃P)₄Ir(BPin), ((R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃, (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃, IrCl(COD), and[IrCl(COD)]₂, wherein CP* is 1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin ispinacolborane, Me is methyl, H is hydrogen, P is phosphorus, Ind isindenyl, COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene, MesH is mesitylene, and wherein R,R₁, and R₂ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbonin a cyclic structure.

In a further embodiment of the process, the rhodium complex is(Cp′)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl,alkoxide (—O(R₇)), and amide (—N(R₈)(R₉)) wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0 or 1; BY is a boronmoiety; and Cp′ is of the formula

wherein R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a further embodiment of the process, the rhodium complex is(Cp′)(P(R₁₀(R₁₁)(R₁₂))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein R₁₀, R₁₁, and R₁₂ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl,branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0 or 1; BY is aboron moiety; and Cp′ is of the formula

wherein R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.

In a preferred embodiment of the process, BY is selected from the groupconsisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.

In a further embodiment of the process, the rhodium complex is selectedfrom the group consisting of (Cp*)Rh(H)₂(Me₃P), (Cp*)Rh(H)(BPin)(Me₃P),(CP*)Rh(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P), and (Cp*)Rh(hexamethylbenzene), wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, and P is phosphorus.

In a further embodiment of the process, the HB organic ligand isselected from the group consisting of B(H)(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) wherein Y₁₁ and Y₁₂are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₇)), and amide (—N(R₈)(R₉)) wherein R₇, R₈, and R₉are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; (B(H)(Y₁₃—Y₁₄—Y₁₅) whereinY₁₃ and Y₁₅ are each selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl,oxygen, and nitrogen and Y₁₄ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms;

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅, R₃₆, andR₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a siliconcontaining moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygenwhich is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₃₈, R₃₉, and R₄₀ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and agroup containing any other element which is bound to the aromatic ring.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein R₃₅, R₃₆, and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure,a silicon containing moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogenor oxygen which is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group,and alcohol protecting group; and R₃₈, R₃₉, and R₄₀ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide,amide, and a group containing any other element which is bound to thearomatic ring; and BY is a boron moiety selected from the groupconsisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, and carbon within acyclic structure.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; and R₃₅, R₃₆,and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a siliconcontaining moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygenwhich is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein R₃₅, R₃₆, and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure,a silicon containing moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogenor oxygen which is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group,and alcohol protecting group; and BY is a boron moiety selected from thegroup consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, and carbon within acyclic structure.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₁, R₄₂, and R₄₃ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and agroup containing any other element which is bound to the aromatic ring.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₁ is selected from the group consisting ofhalide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containing any otherelement except hydrogen which is bound to the aromatic ring.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₄ is selected from the group consisting ofalkoxide, amide, and a group containing any other element which is boundto the aromatic ring except for hydrogen or carbon.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron.

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

The present invention further provides a ring-substituted arene boraneof the formula

OBJECTS

It is an object of the present invention to provide a general processfor synthesizing boronic esters and acids which avoids many of thelimitations of the prior art processes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a generalprocess for synthesizing boronic esters and acids by metal catalyzedactivations of C—H bonds in hydrocarbon feedstocks and B—H bonds inboron reagents to produce novel B—C bonds with hydrogen as the solebyproduct of the process.

A further still object of the present invention is to provide catalystswhich can be used for the general process for synthesizing boronicesters and acids.

These and other objects of the present invention will becomeincreasingly apparent with reference to the following drawings andpreferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the formulas for precatalysts 1 to 15. CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, P is phosphorus, Ind is indenyl, COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene,MesH is mesitylene, and wherein R, R₁, and R₂ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure.

FIG. 2 shows the formulas for precatalysts 16 to 27. Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branchedalkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure, and Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to 12 carbons; ((PP) is of theformula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups; and BY is a boron moiety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All patents, patent applications, provisional patent applications,government publications, government regulations, and literaturereferences cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the presentdescription, including definitions, will control.

The present invention provides catalysts comprising iridium (Ir) orrhodium (Rh) in a complex with three or more substituents, excludinghydrogen, bonded to the Ir or Rh and a phosphorus organic ligand, whichis at least in part bonded to the Ir or Rh and processes for forming B—Cbonds between boranes and sp2-hybridized C—H bonds to produceorganoboron complexes such as ring-substituted arenes (or aryl boronateesters and acids) according to the process shown in Scheme 1.

The direct route to aryl boronate esters and acids using the catalystsand process of the present invention is particularly useful forproducing ring-substituted arene boranes (aryl boronic esters and acids)which are versatile transfer reagents in organic chemistry. The boron inthese transfer reagents serves as a mask for a broad range ofheteroatoms and functional groups. Some of the most remarkable andbroadly used applications of organoboron chemistry are catalyticcross-coupling check reactions of C—B and C—X (X is Cl, Br, I) groupswhich yield new C—C bonds as shown in scheme 2. In addition, the presentinvention provides novel boranes and novel organoborane complexes.

The novel boranes and organoborane complexes are particularly useful inthe pharmaceutical industry as key building blocks for drugmanufacturing and as versatile reagents for high-throughput parallelsynthesis in drug discovery. In addition, the borane and organoboroncomplexes are useful for the manufacture of chemical sensing andhigh-performance specialty polymers.

The B—C bond-forming reactions between boranes and sp2-hybridized C—Hbonds are catalyzed by the catalysts of the present invention whichcomprise Ir and Rh in a complex with three or more substituents,excluding hydrogen, bonded to the Ir or Rh and a phosphorus organicligand, which is at least in part bonded to the Ir or Rh. Preferably,the catalysts comprise iridium or rhodium in a complex with three ormore substituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium or rhodiumand an organic ligand selected from the group consisting of a phosphorusorganic ligand, an organic amine, an imine, a nitrogen heterocycle, andan ether in a molar ratio between about 1 to 3 and 1 to 1, wherein theligand is at least in part bonded to the iridium or rhodium. Effectiveprecatalysts can be grouped into two families: those that containcyclopentadienyl (Cp*, C₅R₅ wherein R is CH₃) or indenyl (Ind, C₉R₇wherein R is H) ligands and those that contain phosphine ligands.Included are compounds that contain both the Cp* and the Ind ligands andthe phosphine ligands.

Preferably, the catalytic composition comprising iridium comprises oneof the following: (ArH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein ArH is selected from the groupconsisting of aromatic, heteroaromatic, polyaromatic, andheteropolyaromatic hydrocarbon and wherein BY is a boron moiety;(MesH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein MesH is mesitylene and wherein BY is a boronmoiety; (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, wherein n is 0, 1, or 2,and wherein BY is a boron moiety; (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir(H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbonin a cyclic structure, wherein n is 0, 1, or 2, and wherein BY is aboron moiety; (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₃)(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ areas above, wherein R₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of a linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and wherein BY is aboron moiety; (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, andR₁₆ are as above; R₁₇ is as above, and wherein BY is a boron moiety;{(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PY₇P)) (16) wherein BY is a boron moiety, wherein(PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and acarbon in a cyclic structure, and wherein Y₇ is a chain containing 1 to12 carbons; (PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ (17) wherein BY is a boronmoiety, wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are as above, and wherein (PY₇P) is asabove; (PY₇P)(P(R₁₀)(R₁₁)(R₁₂))Ir(BY)₃ (18) wherein BY is a boronmoiety, wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are as above, wherein (PY₇P) is asabove; {(PP)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PP)) (19) wherein BY is a boron moiety andwherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups; (PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ (20) wherein BY is a boron moiety,wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are as above, and wherein (PP) is as above;(PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ (21) wherein BY is a boron moiety, whereinR₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are as above, and wherein (PP) is as above;(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃ (22) wherein BY is a boron moiety, and wherein and (PY₇P)is as above; (PP)Ir(BY)₃ (23) wherein BY is a boron moiety, and wherein(PP) is as above; (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are asabove and BY is a boron moiety; (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein R₁₄,R₁₅, and R₁₆ are as above and BY is a boron moiety;(PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) (24) wherein BY is a boron moiety, whereinY₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are above, and wherein (PY₇P) is as above;(PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) (25) wherein BY is a boron moiety, whereinY₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are as above, and wherein (PP) is as above;(PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) (26) wherein BY is a boron moiety, R₁₄,R₁₅, and R₁₇ are as above, and wherein (PY₇P) is as above;(PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) (27) wherein BY is a boron moiety, whereinR₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are as above, and wherein (PP) is as above.

Examples of catalytic compositions comprising iridium include thoseselected from the group consisting of (Cp*)Ir(H)₂(Me₃P) (1),(Cp*)Ir(H)(BPin)(Me₃P) (2), (CP*)Ir(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P) (3), (Ind)Ir(COD)(8), (MesH)Ir(BPin)(B(OR)₂) (9), ((R₁)₃P)₃Ir(B(OR₂)₂)₃ (10),(R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃ (11), [((R₁)₂P)₃Ir((R₂O)₂B)₃]₂ (12), ((R₁)₃P)₄Ir(BPin)(13), ((R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃ (14), (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ (9 wherein B(OR)₂ isBPin), IrCl(COD) (15) and [IrCl(COD)]₂, wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, P is phosphorus, Ind is indenyl, COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene,MesH is mesitylene, and wherein R, R₁, and R₂ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure.

Preferably, the catalytic composition comprising rhodium comprises oneof the following: (Cp′)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein Y₄,Y₅, and Y₆ are as above, wherein n is 0 or 1, wherein BY is a boronmoiety, and wherein Cp′ is of the formula

wherein R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups; and (Cp′)(P(R₁₄(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Rh(H)_(n)(BY)_(2-n) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅,and R₁₆ are as above; n is 0 or 1, wherein BY is a boron moiety; andwherein Cp′ is as above.

Examples of catalytic compositions comprising rhodium include thoseselected from the group consisting of (Cp*)Rh(H)₂(Me₃P) (4),(Cp*)Rh(H)(BPin)(Me₃P) (5), (CP*)Rh(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P) (6), and(Cp*)Rh(hexamethylbenzene) (7), wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, and P is phosphorus.

In the above catalytic compositions, preferably the BY boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the structures of precatalysts 1 to 15 and16 to 27, respectively.

While the precatalysts can under particular reaction conditions catalyzethe borylation of particular ring-substituted arenes, the reactionsproceed more efficiently when an organic ligand such as phosphineligands (phosphorus organic ligands) are included in the reactionmixture. The addition of phosphine ligands to the reaction generatesactive catalysts which can produce ring-substituted arene borones (arylboronate esters and acids) with low catalyst loading. The fact thatphosphine-containing species can catalyze borylation is importantbecause numerous phosphines are commercially available. Furthermore, theselectivities of the borylation can be altered as a function of thephosphine ligand that is added. Examples of phosphine ligands include,but are not limited to, trimethyl phosphine (PMe₃),1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe), and1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe).

For example, precatalyst 8 can be obtained in two high-yielding stepsfrom the common iridium starting material, IrCl₃(H₂O)_(x). Precatalyst 9can be prepared by reacting 8 with approximately 5 equivalents ofpinacolborane (HBPin) in mesitylene solvent. It was discovered thatcommercially available precatalyst 15 will also catalyze borylations.While all of the precatalysts have similar activities for manysubstrates, borylations of particular arenes exhibit a remarkableprecatalyst dependence.

In the absence of phosphine ligands, compound 8 catalyzes the borylationof benzene by HBPin, but relatively high catalyst loading and longreaction times are required to prepare PhBPin in reasonable yields. Attemperatures above 80° C., decomposition to Ir metal occurs, which haltscatalysis. Compound 9 is not effective in catalysis without the additionof phosphine.

Addition of phosphine ligands to solutions of compound 8 and 9 generatesactive catalysts for the production of aryl boronic esters with lowcatalyst loading as illustrated for the examples in FIG. 1. The factthat phosphine-containing species can catalyze borylation is importantbecause numerous phosphines are commercially available. Consequently,the selectivities can be altered as a function of the phosphine that isadded.

Another virtue of the present invention is that a broad range ofheteroatoms and functional groups are inert under borylation conditionsas shown in Scheme 3.

Y=F, Cl, Br, Alkyl, OR, NMe₂, CF₃, C═O(NR₂), C═O(OR)Given that Grignard reagents react with several of these groups and Pdcatalyzes the formation of ArBPin from ArBr and HBPin, the functionalgroup tolerance for the Ir-catalyzed chemistry is remarkable. Underappropriate conditions, even iodobenzene can be borylated without iodidereduction. In this instance, no conversion was observed when usingprecatalyst 8, whereas precatalyst 9 gives the borylated products in 95%yield as shown in Scheme 4.

Therefore, the present substrate compatibility, which is alreadyremarkably broad, is expected to expand with further improvements to thepresent invention.

For monosubstituted arenes, mixtures of meta and para borylated productsare obtained. In contrast to the known Rh complexes that catalyzearomatic borylation, the meta:para ratio deviates significantly from2:1. For most substrates, this ratio exceeds 3:1 and data for anisoleare shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Isomer distributions for catalytic borylations of anisole

Entry Catalyst Temp (° C.) Time (h) o:m:p 1 2 mol % 8/2 PMe₃ 150 29 9:74:17 2 2 mol % 9/2 PMe₃ 150 41  8:75:17 3 2 mol % 8/dppe 150 22 3:76:21 4 2 mol % 9/dppe 150 51  3:78:20 5 2 mol % 8/dppe 100 22 2:80:18 6 2 mol % 3/dppe 100 18  2:80:18 7 2 mol % 9 150  312:53:36^(a) 8 2 mol % 8/PMe₃ 150 29  2:57:40 9 2 mol % 9/PMe₃ 150 40 3:67:30 ^(a)Low conversion. o is ortho, m is meta, and p is para. Dppeis 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethaneIt is noteworthy that the para isomer is more favored for entries 7 and8, where the meta:para ratio is significantly less than 2:1. These datashow that while there is a steric bias against ortho borylation, themeta:para ratio is sensitive to the type and amount of phosphine ligandsthat are added. For dppe, the activity at 100° C. is relatively high,and the reaction is complete in less time than at 150° C.

With the exception of F, and amide functional groups in some Rhcatalyzed reactions, borylation at positions that are ortho tofunctional groups are avoided. Thus, 1,3-substituted aromatics can beselectively borylated at the 5′ position. This is the hardest positionto selectively activate by traditional aromatic substitution chemistryand for electron rich arenes, there are no general methods for preparingderivatives from the 1,3-substituted arenes.

Furthermore, multiple borylation of 1,3-substituted arenes does notoccur to a significant extent, which means that equimolar quantities ofborane and arene give aromatic boronic esters in high yield in theabsence of solvent. Substrates that have been successfully converted toboronate esters under these conditions are shown in scheme 5.

Y,Z+ Cl, Br, Alkyl, OR, NMe₂, CF₃, C═O(NR₂), C═O(OR)

For fluorinated benzenes, the borylation at ortho positions occursreadily. Hence, C₆HF₅ and 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene give mono andtriborylated products, respectively, as shown in Scheme 6.

It is noteworthy that present Rh catalysts are not compatible withhalide functionalities and substantial quantities of dehalogenated anddiborylated products are observed. We extended the chemistry tofive-membered rings and heterocycles as shown by the borylation of aprotected pyrrole and 2,6-lutidine in Scheme 7

Interestingly, it was found that (CH₃)₃Si—BPin is produced catalyticallywhen the C—H activation of N-trimethylsilyl pyrrole was attempted. SinceSi—B reagents interesting chemistry, this provides a very simple routeas compared to most of the known methods.

Lastly, we have demonstrated that aromatic borylation of one aromaticsubstrate and subsequent coupling with a second sp²-hybridizedhalocarbon can be achieved in one pot as shown in Scheme 8. Oneextension of this concept is the development of a catalyst kit that canbe used for general couplings in drug discovery applications.

The following ring-substituted arene boranes have been synthesizedaccording to the process of the present invention:

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅, R₃₆, andR₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a siliconcontaining moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygenwhich is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₃₈, R₃₉, and R₄₀ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and agroup containing any other element which is bound to the aromatic ring;

wherein R₃₅, R₃₆, and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure,a silicon containing moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogenor oxygen which is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group,and alcohol protecting group; and R₃₈, R₃₉, and R₄₀ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide,amide, and a group containing any other element which is bound to thearomatic ring; and wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and agroup containing any other element wherein the element is bound toboron; and R₃₅, R₃₆, and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure,a silicon containing moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogenor oxygen which is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group,and alcohol protecting group;

wherein R₃₅, R₃₆, and R₃₇ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure,a silicon containing moiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogenor oxygen which is bound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group,and alcohol protecting group; and BY is a boron moiety;

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₁, R₄₂, and R₄₃ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and agroup containing any other element which is bound to the aromatic ring;

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₁ is selected from the group consisting ofhalide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containing any otherelement except hydrogen which is bound to the aromatic ring;

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron; R₃₅ and R₃₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, aryl, carbon within a cyclic structure, a silicon containingmoiety wherein the silicon is bound to a nitrogen or oxygen which isbound to the aromatic ring, amine protecting group, and alcoholprotecting group; and R₄₄ is selected from the group consisting ofalkoxide, amide, and a group containing any other element which is boundto the aromatic ring except for hydrogen or carbon;

wherein Y₈ and Y₉ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide, amide, and a group containingany other element wherein the element is bound to boron;

In the above ring-substituted arene boranes, BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, and carbon within acyclic structure.

The process and catalysts of the present invention for makingring-substituted arene boranes (aryl boronate esters and acids) avoidmany of the limitations of the prior art because (1) the reactions canbe carried out in neat substrates, thereby avoiding ethereal solvents,(2) since the C—H bonds are selectively activated, halogenation ofarenes and conversions to Grignard or organolithium reagents areeliminated, (3) the only byproducts are hydrogen, which is easilyremoved, and the catalyst, which is present in low concentrations, canbe recovered, (4) the process of the present invention tolerates a broadrange of functional groups, (6) active catalysts are generated fromcommon precursors and selectivities can be altered by addingcommercially available ligands such as alkyl phosphines, (7) particularsubstitution patterns which are notoriously difficult to achieve usingprior art aromatic substitution chemistry can be obtained in one stepstarting from inexpensive starting materials, and (8) Ir metal isrelatively inert, Ir complexes generally have low toxicity, and Ir metalrecovered from the reactions can be recovered from the reaction wasteand recycled. Furthermore, the process can be used to make chiralborylated compounds.

The following examples are intended to promote a further understandingof the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

This example shows the preparation of Ir(MesH)(Bin)₃ 9 from(Indenyl)Ir(COD) 8 and excess HBPin in mesitylene.

(Indenyl)Ir(COD) 8 (2.54 g, 6.11 mmol) and HBPin (3.91 g, 30.6 mmol)were dissolved in mesitylene (32 mL). The solution was then transferredto two glass bombs. The light brown solutions were then heated at 75° C.for 64 h. The reaction mixture turned to dark brown after 24 h at 75° C.The solutions were combined again. Mesitylene was removed by high vacuumleaving a viscous dark brown oil. The reaction mixture was thentritrated with hexamethyldisiloxane (3×2 mL). After filtration andwashed with cold hexamethyldisiloxane, a white solid was obtained (797mg, 19%). (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ 9: ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ 1.33 (s, 36H, 3 BO₂C₆H₁₂),2.23 (s, 9H, 3 CH₃), 5.62 (s, 3H, 3 CH). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 32.5. ¹³C NMR(C₆D₆) δ 19.68, 25.73, 80.95, 96.97, 118.05. Elemental analysis forC₂₇H₄₈B₃IrO₆ calcd. C, (46.77%); H, (6.98%); N, (0.00%).

Found C, (47.13%); H, (7.18%); N, (0.02%).

EXAMPLE 2

This example shows the synthesis of precatalyst 12 in a NMR reaction.

(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ 9 (10 mg, 0.014 mmol) was dissolved in C₆D₆ (400 μL) anddmpe solution (0.14 M in C₆D₆, 100 μL, 0.014 mmol) was added. Thereaction mixture was transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. After 36 h atroom temperature, 12 was observed in ¹H, ¹¹B, and ³¹P NMR. ¹H NMR (C₆D₆)δ 1.30 (s, 24H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.33 (s, 48H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.34 (unresolved d,12H), 1.39 (d, ²J_(HP)=4.5 Hz, 24H), 1.68 (d, ²J_(HP)=6.3 Hz, 4H), 1.73(d, ²J_(HP)=6.6 Hz, 4H), 1.83 (unresolved d, 4H). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 32.4(br s). ³¹P NMR (C⁶D⁶) δ −50.54 (unresolved t, 2 P), −10.85 (unresolvedd, 4 P).

EXAMPLE 3

This example shows the synthesis of precatalyst 11 in a NMR reaction.

(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ 9 (10 mg, 0.014 mmol) andbis-(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane (dtBupe) (4.5 mg, 0.014 mmol) weredissolved in C₆H₁₂ (500 μL) and transferred to a J. Young NMR tube.After 16 h at room temperature, 11 was observed in ¹H, ¹¹B and ³¹P NMR.¹H NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 1.19 (s, 36H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.28 (d, ³J_(HP)=12.0 Hz, 36H,^(t)Bu₂P), 1.84 (d, ²J_(HP)=10.7 Hz, 4H, PCH₂CH₂P). ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ33.5 (br s). ³¹P NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 894.89.

EXAMPLE 4

This example shows the synthesis of Preparation of fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₃.

PMe₃ (220 mg, 2.9 mmol) diluted in 2 mL C₆H₆ was added into a vial whichwas charged with (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ (400 mg, 0.58 mmol) in 4 mL C₆H₆. Thereaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes andthe solvent was removed away under vacuum to give 461 mgfac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₃ in quantitative yield. The product wasrecrystallized from concentrated pentane solution at −30° C. to givecolorless crystal. ¹H NMR (C₆H₆) δ 1.34 (s, 36H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.52 (m, 27H,PMe₃). ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₆) δ 36.0. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆H⁶) δ −64.

EXAMPLE 5

This example shows the synthesis of mer-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)(H)(Ph).

HBPin (55 mg, 0.43 mmol) diluted in 2 mL pentane was added into a vialwhich was charged with Ir(PMe₃)₃Ph (194 mg, 0.39 mmol). The reactionmixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes and thesolvent was removed away under vacuum to give 241 mgmer-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)(H)(Ph) in quantitative yield. The product wasrecrystallized from concentrated pentane solution at −30° C. to givecolorless crystal.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ −11.32 (dt, 131 Hz, 20 Hz, 1H, hydride), 1.16 (s, 12H,BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.41 (m, 27H, PMe₃), 7.17-7.20 (m, 3H), 7.98 (b, 2H). ¹¹B NMR(C₆D₆) δ 35.8. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −57.8 (t, 22.9 Hz, 1P), −45.6 (d,22.0 Hz, 2P). Calc. C, (40.32); H, (7.25).

Found C, (39.95); H, (7.38).

EXAMPLE 6

This example shows the synthesis of fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)(H)(Me).

HBPin (27 mg, 0.195 mmol) diluted in 2 mL pentane was added into a vialwhich was charged with Ir(PMe₃)₄Me (100 mg, 0.21 mmol). The reactionmixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 5 minutes and the solventwas removed under vacuum to give orange red color oily mixture offac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)(H)(Me) (83%) and mer-Ir(PMe₃)₃(Me)(H)(BPin) (17%) 94mg in 75% yield. fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)(H)(Me). ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ −11.30 (dt,140.4 Hz, 18.9 Hz, 1H, hydride), 0.40 (m, 3H, Me), 1.25 (s, 12H,BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.17 (d, 6.4 Hz, 9H, PMe₃), 1.35 (d, 7.3 Hz, 9H, PMe₃), 1.47(d, 7.9 Hz, 9H, PMe₃). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38.6. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −63.3(br, 1P, PMe₃ trans to BPin), −56.83 (dd, 13.4 Hz, 23.2 Hz, 1P, PMe₃),−55.16 (dd, 13.4 Hz, 18.3 Hz, 1P, PMe₃). mer-Ir(PMe₃)₃(Me)(H)(BPin). ¹HNMR (C₆D₆) δ −11.98 (dt, 131.9 Hz, 23.0 Hz, 1H, hydride), −0.06 (m, 3H,Me), 1.19 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.14 (d, 29.9 Hz, 9H, PMe₃ trans tohydride), 1.54 (t, 3.4 Hz, 18H, 2 PMe₃ trans to each other). ¹¹B NMR(C₆D₆) δ 38.6. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −57.8 (t, 1P, PMe₃ trans tohydride), −48.2 (d, 22.9 Hz, 2P, PMe₃ trans to each other).

EXAMPLE 7

This example shows the synthesis of (η⁵-C₅Me)Rh(PMe₃)(H)(BPin).

HBPin (486 mg, 3.8 mmol) diluted in 2 mL mesitylene was added into anair-free flask which was charged with Cp*Rh(PMe₃)(H)₂ (400 mg, 1.26mmol) in 8 mL mesitylene. The reaction mixture was heated at 110° C. inan oil bath for 2.5 days. The solvent was removed under vacuum to give480 mg Cp*Rh(PMe₃)(H)(BPin) as brown oil in 87% yield. ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ−13.94 (vt, 35.2 Hz, 1H, hydride), 1.15 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.28 (dd,9.8 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 9H, PMe₃), 2.07 (m, 15H, Cp*). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) 842.8.³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ 6.3 (t, 166.3 Hz, 1P, PMe₃).

EXAMPLE 8

This example shows the synthesis of Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin).

PMe₃ (161 mg, 2.1 mmol) diluted in 4 mL THF was added into the schlenktube which was charged with mer,cis-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂Cl (500 mg, 0.7mmol) in 5 mL THF. KOBu^(t) (158 mg, 1.4 mmol) dissolved in 5 mL THF wasthen added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 90 minutes. The solvent was removed under vacuum.The product was extracted into 8 mL pentane, followed by concentratingfiltrate to give 402 mg of Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin) in 92% yield. The product wasrecrystallized from concentrated pentane solution at −30° C. to givecolorless crystal. ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) 81.24 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.58 (b, 36H,PMe₃). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −57.5. Calc. C,(34.67); H, (7.76). Found C, (34.76); H, (7.89).

EXAMPLE 9

This example shows the synthesis of precatalyst 11 in a NMR reaction.

Ir(PMe₃)₄H (15 mg, 0.03 mmol) was dissolved in C₆D₆ (332 μL) in a GCvial and transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. Additional C₆D₆ (166 μL)was used to wash the residue into the NMR tube. HBPin (4.4 μL, 0.03mmol) was added into the NMR tube directly via microsyringe. At roomtemperature, the starting material was gradually converted into themixture of mer,cis-Ir(PMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin) and fac-Ir(pMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin). Thesample was allowed to stand at room temperature for 6 days, andmer,cis-Ir(PMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin) was gradually isomerized to givefac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin) as the major species.mer,cis-Ir(PMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin). ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ −12.18 (dt, J=114.7, 23.2Hz, 1H, hydride trans to PMe₃), −10.46 (q, 1H, hydride trans to BPin),1.21 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.49 (d, 9H, PMe₃ trans to hydride), 1.69 (t,3.5 Hz, 18H, 2 PMe₃ trans to each other). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38.6. ³¹P{¹H}NMR (C₆D₆) δ −58.1 (t, 22.6 Hz, 1P), −48.1 (d, 22.6 Hz, 2P).fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(H)₂(BPin). ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ −11.83 (symmetrical secondorder m, 2H, hydride), 1.25 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.32 (d, 7.0 Hz, 9H, PMe₃trans to BPin), 1.69 (d, 7.6 Hz, 18H, 2 PMe₃ trans to hydride). ¹¹B NMR(C₆D₆) δ 38.6. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −62.0 (br, 1P, PMe₃ trans to BPin),−54.59 (d, 23.2 Hz, 2P, PMe₃ trans to hydride).

EXAMPLE 10

This example shows the generation of mer,trans-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H) andfac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H) in a benzene-d₆ solution.

B₂Pin₂ (7.9 mg, 0.031 mmol) dissolved in C₆D₆ (166 μL) was transferredto a J. Young NMR tube which was charged with Ir(PMe₃)₄H (15.4 mg, 0.031mmol) in C₆D₆ (166 μL). Additional C₆D₆ (332 μL) was used to wash theresidue into the NMR tube. The reaction mixture was then heated up at60° C. The reaction was monitored by ¹H, ¹¹B, ³¹P NMR spectra. Thestarting materials were gradually converted into the mixture ofmer,trans-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H) and fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H).fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H) was the major species after the temperature wastaken up to 100° C. for 7 hours. mer,trans-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H). ¹H NMR(C₆D₆) δ −12.36 (dt, J=117 Hz, 21.7 Hz, 1H, hydride trans to PMe₃), 1.22(s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.49 (d, 8.0 Hz, 9H, PMe₃ trans to hydride), 1.74(t, 3.4 Hz, 18H, 2 PMe₃ trans to each other). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38.9.³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −59.6 (t, 22.0 Hz, 1P), −50.8 (d, 22.0 Hz, 2P).fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₂(H). ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ −11.66 (dt, 118.1 Hz, 18.1 Hz,H, hydride trans to PMe₃), 1.29 (s, 24H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.41 (vt, 18H, 2PMe₃ trans to BPin), 1.58 (d, 8.0 Hz, 9H, PMe₃ trans to hydride). ¹¹BNMR (C₆D₆) δ 38.6. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −61.8 (br, 2P, PMe₃ trans toBPin), −56.6 (t, 22.0 Hz, 1P, PMe₃ trans to hydride).

EXAMPLE 11

This example shows the generation of Ir(PMe₃)₂(dppe)(BPin) inbenzene-d₆.

dppe (8 mg, 0.02 mmol) dissolved in C₆D₆ (166 μL) was transferred to aJ. Young NMR tube which was charged with Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin) (12.5 mg, 0.02mmol) in C₆D₆ (166 μL). Additional C₆D₆ (166 μL) was used to wash theresidue into the NMR tube. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand atroom temperature for 3 days to give Ir(PMe₃)₂(dppe)(BPin) as the majormetal complex. ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ 1.10 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 1.33 (t, 3.3 Hz,18H, 2 PMe₃), 1.92-2.18 (m, 4H, CH₂), 6.98-7.12, 7.16-7.28, 7.72-7.89,7.91-7.98 (m, 20H, phenyl groups). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38.8. ³¹P{¹H} NMR(C₆D₆) δ −58.9 (dd, 141.6 Hz, 26.8 Hz, 2P, PMe₃), 39.1 (td, 141.6 Hz,13.4 Hz, 1P, PPh₂ cis to BPin), 46.1 (br, 1P, PPh₂ trans to BPin).

EXAMPLE 12

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of5-(4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenefrom 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and excess HBPin using precatalyst8 and diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe).

Compound 8, (194 mg, 0.47 mmol) and dppe (186 mg, 0.47 mmol) weredissolved HBPin (4.5 g, 35 mmol). The solution was then added to aschlenk tube containing 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (5.0 g, 23.4mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. in an oil bath for 22h. The brown solid obtained was sublimed at 80° C. (0.03 mrnHg) to yield1,3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂(BPin) as a colorless solid (6.21 g, 78% based on1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene).

EXAMPLE 13

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of5-(4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenefrom 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and excess HBPin using precatalyst[Ir(COD)Cl]₂ and diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe).

[Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (157 mg, 0.47 mmol) and dppe (186 mg, 0.47 mmol) weredissolved HBPin (4.5 g, 35 mmol). The solution was then added to aschlenk tube containing 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (5.0 g, 23.4mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. in an oil bath for 86h. The brown solid obtained was sublimed at 80° C. (0.03 mmHg) to yield1,3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂(BPin) as a colorless solid (6.84 g, 86% based on1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene).

EXAMPLE 14

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 8 and dimethylphosphinoethane (dmpe).

Precatalyst 8 (6.5 mg, 0.016 mmol) and dmpe (0.12 M in benzene, 127 μL,0.016 mmol) were dissolved in benzene (875 μL). After 30 min at roomtemperature, the precatalyst solution was transferred to an air-freeflask to which HBPin (1.0 g, 7.8 mmol) and benzene (9 μL) were added.The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oil bath for 11 h. Thepale brown solution was rotary evaporated to dryness. The brown viscousoil obtained was vacuum distilled to yield PhBPin as a colorless viscousoil (1.45 g, 91% at 66-67° C. (0.03 mmHg).

EXAMPLE 15

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ and dimethylphosphinoethane (dmpe).

[Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (5.2 mg, 0.016 mmol) and dmpe (0.016 M in benzene, 258 μL,0.016 mmol) were dissolved in benzene (740 μL). After 30 min at roomtemperature, the precatalyst solution was transferred to an air-freeflask to which HBPin (1.0 g, 7.8 mmol) and benzene (9 μL) were added.The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oil bath for 6 h. Thepale brown solution was rotary evaporated to dryness. The brown viscousoil obtained was vacuum distilled to yield PhBPin as a colorless viscousoil (1.49 g, 93%) at 66-67° C. (0.03 mmHg).

EXAMPLE 16

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3,5-C₆F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃from 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene and excess HBPin using precatalyst 8 anddimethylphosphino-ethane (dmpe) in cyclohexane.

Precatalyst 8 (8.7 mg, 0.021 mmol), dmpe solution (0.13 M incyclohexane, 158 μL, 0.021 mmol) and 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene (23 mg, 0.18mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (440 μL) and transferred to a J.Young NMR tube. The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. and monitoredby ¹¹B, ¹⁹F, and ¹H NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₁₂) δ 28.32 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz,HBPin), 30.9 (sh, 1,3,5-C₆F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃). ¹⁹F NMR (C₆D₁₂) δ −107.53(s, 3F, 1,3,5-C₆H₃F₃), −105.20 (s, 1F, 1,3,5-C₆H₂F₃-2-BPin), −96.52 (s,2F, 1,3,5-C₆H₂F₃-2-BPin), −94.00 (s, 2F, 1,3,5-C₆HF₃-2,4-(BPin)₂),−84.45 (s, 1F, 1,3,5-C₆HF₃-2,4-(BPin)₂), −81.91 (s, 3F,1,3,5-C₆F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃]. After 17 h at 150° C., the reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature. 1,3,5-C₆H₃F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃ wasprecipitated as a colorless crystal (52 mg, 0.10 mmol).1,3,5-C₆H₃F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.31 (s, 36H, BO₂C₆H₁₂).¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.70, 84.07, 173.10 (dt, ¹J_(CF)=258.5 Hz,³J_(CF)=17.1 Hz). ¹⁹F NMR (CDCl₃) δ −83.31. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 29.1. MS(E.I.) m/z 510. Elemental analysis for C₂₄H₃₆B₃F₃O₆ calcd. C, (56.53%);H, (7.11%); N, (0.00%). Found C, (56.56%); H, (7.09%); N, (0.12%).

EXAMPLE 17

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 8 and diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe) in cyclohexanecharacterized by GC-FID.

Precatalyst 8 (2.9 mg, 7.0×10−3 mmol) and dppe (2.8 mg, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol)in cyclohexane (0.5 mL) were transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. Decane(0.626 M in benzene, 50 μL, 0.0313 mmol decane and 0.47 mmol benzene)and HBPin (51 μL, 0.35 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was heatedat 100° C. and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 28.85 (d,¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 30.9 (br s, PhBPin). After for 67 h at 100°C., a small aliquot of the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ anda GC-FID chromatogram was obtained. PhBPin (54% GC yield): GC-FID: 8.11min (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10 min). GC-MS: 7.71 min (70°C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 280° C., 10 min); (m/z) 204. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ1.35 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84(m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 18

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 8 and dimethylphosphinoethane (dmpe) to generate 12 insitu and characterized by GC-FID.

Precatalyst 8 (2.9 mg, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol) was charged into a GC-vial in aglove box under N₂. Decane (0.626 M in benzene, 50 μL, 0.0313 mmol),HBPin (51 μL, 0.35 mmol), 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (0.0666 M inbenzene, 105 μL, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol) and benzene (345 μL) were added. Theclear pale yellow solution was then transferred to a J. Young NMR tube.The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. and monitored by ¹¹B and 31PNMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₆) δ 28.85 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 30.9 (br s,PhBPin). ³¹P NMR (C₆D₆) δ −51.01 (unresolved t, 2P), −11.05 (unresolvedd, 4P). After 31 h at 100° C., a small aliquot of the reaction mixturewas diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and a GC-FID chromatogram was obtained. PhBPin(96% GC yield): GC-FID: 8.11 min (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10min). GC-MS: 7.71 min (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 280° C., 10 min);(m/z) 204. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.35 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H),7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84 (m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 19

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 9 and dimethylphosphinoethane (dmpe) to generate 12 insitu and characterized by GC-FID.

(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ 9 solution (0.071 M in benzene, 100 μL, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol),dmpe solution (0.070 M in benzene, 100 μL, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol), decanesolution (0.626 M. in benzene, 50 μL, 0.0313 mmol), HBPin (51 μL, 0.35mmol) and benzene (250 μL) were mixed and transferred into a J. YoungNMR tube was dissolved in C₆D₆ (400 μL) and dmpe solution (0.14 M inC₆D₆, 100 μL, 0.014 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture wastransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction mixture was heated at100° C. and monitored by ¹¹B and ³¹P NMR. After for 177 h at 100° C., asmall aliquot of the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and aGC-FID chromatogram was obtained. PhBPin (97% GC yield): GC-FID: 8.11min (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10 min). GC-MS: 7.71 min (70°C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 280° C., 10 min); (m/z) 204. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 31.35(s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84 (m,2H).

EXAMPLE 20

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin) as anisomeric mixture from anisole and HBPin using precatalyst 8 andtrimethylphosphine characterized by GC-FID.

HBPin (45 mg, 0.35 mmol) was charged into a J. Young NMR tube.Precatalyst 8 (Indenyl)Ir(COD) (2.9 mg, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol) in anisole (0.5mL) was added. PMe₃ (1.5 μL, 0.014 mmol) was added via a microsyringe.The reaction mixture was then heated at 150° C. and monitored by ¹¹BNMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₆) 328.66 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 31.2 [br s,C₆H₄(OMe)BPin]. After heating for 29 h at 150° C., a small aliquot ofthe reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and a GC-FID chromatogramwas obtained. The isomers,o-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin):m-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin):p-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin) in a 9:74:17ratio, were yielded (71 mg, 87%). GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min;250° C., 10 min): 9.55 min (o-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin)), 9.88 min(m-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin)), 10.02 min (p-C6H4(OMe)(BPin)). GC-MS (70° C., 2min; 20° C./min; 280° C., 10 min): 8.87 min, (m/z) 234(o-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin)); 9.14 min, (m/z) 234 (m-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin)); 9.29 min,(m/z) 234 (p-C₆H₄(OMe)(BPin)).

EXAMPLE 21

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3,5-C₆F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃from 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene and excess HBPin using precatalyst 8 anddimethylphosphino-ethane (dmpe) in neat.

Precatalyst 8 (29 mg, 0.07 mmol) and dmpe solution (10 mg, 0.07 mmol)were dissolved in HBPin (1.5 g, 11.7 mmol) and transferred to anair-free flask. 1,3,5-Trifluorobenzene (310 mg, 2.34 mmol) was added.The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. for 62 h. After cooled toroom temperature, the reaction mixture was washed with pentane (5×5 mL).It was decanted and dried over high vacuum overnight. A colorlesscrystal was collected (911 mg, 76%). 1,3,5-C₆H₃F₃-2,4,6-(BPin)₃: ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 1.31 (s, 36H, BO₂C₆H₁₂). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.70, 84.07,173.10 (dt, ¹J_(CF)=258.5 HZ, ³J_(CF)=17.1 Hz). ¹⁹F NMR (CDCl₃) δ−83.31. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 29.1. MS (E.I.) m/z 510.

Elemental analysis for C₂H₃₆B₃F₃O₆ calcd. C, (56.53%); H, (7.11%); N,(0.00%). Found C, (56.56%); H, (7.09%); N, (0.12%).

EXAMPLE 22

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3-C6B3CliBPin) as anisomeric mixture from 1,3-dichlorobenzene and excess HBPin usingprecatalyst 8 and diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe) in neat.

Precatalyst 8 (57 mg, 0.14 mmol) and dppe solution (54 mg, 0.14 mmol)were dissolved in HBPin (1.3 g, 10.2 mmol) and transferred to a schlenktube. 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (1.0 mg, 6.8 mmol) was added. The reactionmixture was heated at 100° C. for 14 h. The product ratio of1,3,5-C₆H₃Cl₂BPin to another unidentified mono-borylated product,determined by GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was 97:3. Afterremoval of HBPin under high vacuum, the product was vacuum distilled at93-94° C. (0.03 mmHg). A colorless viscous oil obtained. It was furtherpurified by washing with 100 mL H₂O (5×100 mL.) of the etherate solutionof the product. After rotary evaporation and dried over high vacuum, acolorless oil obtained (1.65 g, 89%). 1,3,5-C₆H₃Cl₂BPin: GC-FID: 10.40min. 1 (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 250° C., 10 min.). GC-MS: 9.73 min.(70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.); (m/z) 272. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, 13 BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.41 (t, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d,J=2.0 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.82, 84.49, 131.06, 133.72, 134.72.

EXAMPLE 23

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 11 generated in situ and characterized by GC-FID.

Precatalyst 9 (4.9 mg, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol) was charged into a GC-vial in aglove box under N₂. Decane (0.626 M in benzene, 50 μL, 0.0313 mmol),HBPin (51 μL, 0.35 mmol), 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane (2.2 mg,7.0×10⁻³ mmol) and benzene (450 μL) were added. The clear pale yellowsolution was then transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reactionmixture was heated at 100° C. and monitored by ¹¹B and ³¹P NMR. ¹¹B NMR(C₆H₆ δ 28.85 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 30.9 (br s, PhBPin). ³¹P NMR(C₆D₆) δ −51.01 unresolved t, 2P), −11.05 (unresolved d, 4P). After for31 h at 100° C., a small aliquot of the reaction mixture was dilutedwith CH₂Cl₂ and a GC-FID chromatogram was obtained. PhBPin (11% GCyield): GC-FID: 8.11 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 250° C., 10min.). GC-MS: 7.71 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.);(m/z) 204. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) O 1.35 (s, 12H, BO2C˜1z), 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H),7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84 (m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 24

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of IC₆H₄(BPin) as an isomericmixture from iodobenzene and HBPin using precatalyst 9 and dppe.

HBPin (485 μL, 3.34 mmol) was charged into an air-free flask.Precatalyst Ir(MesH)(BPin)₃ 9 (46 mg, 0.067 mmol) and dppe (27 mg, 0.067mmol) were dissolved in iodobenzene (6.7 g, 33 mmol) and transferred tothe air-free flask. The reaction mixture was then heated at 100° C. andmonitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₆) δ 27.5 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz,HBPin), 28.5 (br s, IC₆H₄(BPin)). After heating for 57 h at 100° C., thereaction was stopped. Iodobenzene was then vacuum distilled off at r.t.(0.03 mmHg). IC₆H₄(BPin) was vacuum distilled off at 93-95° C. (0.03mmHg) as a colorless viscous liquid. It was further purified by washingwith H₂O (3×25 mL) the etherate solution. The organic layer was rotaryevaporated to dryness and vacuum dried. The isomers,m-C₆H₄I(BPin):p-C₆H₄I(BPin) in a 77:23 ratio, were yielded (852 mg,77%). GC-MS (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.): 10.12 min.,(m/z) 330 m-C₆H₄I(BPin) and p-C₆H₄I(BPin) isomeric mixture.m-C₆H₄I(BPin): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.09(unresolved dd, 1H), 7.72-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.75-7.77 (m, 1H), 8.12 (s, 1H).¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz) δ 24.81, 84.05, 94.47, 129.58, 133,59, 140.02,143.36. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.2. p-C₆H₄I(BPin): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz) δ1.31 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.49 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H).¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz) δ 24.81, 83.94, 98.77, 136.24, 136.85. ¹¹B NMR(CDCl₃) δ 30.2.

EXAMPLE 25

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3,5-C₆H₄BrCl(BPin) fromm-bromochlorobenzene and HBPin using precatalyst 8 and dppe.

m-Bromochlorobenzene (501 mg, 2.6 mmol) was charged into an air-freeflask. Precatalyst (Indenyl)Ir(COD) 8 (22 mg, 0.052 mmol) and dppe (21mg, 0.052 mmol) were dissolved in HBPin (570 μL g, 3.9 mmol) andtransferred to the air-free flask. The reaction mixture was then heatedat 100° C. and monitored by GC-FID. The reaction mixture was heated at100° C. for 17 h. The product ratio of 1,3,5-C₆H₃ClBrBPin to anotherunidentified mono-borylated product, determined by GC-FID of the crudereaction mixture, was 99:1. After removal of HBPin under high vacuum,the product was vacuum distilled at 98-99° C. (0.03 mmHg). A colorlessviscous oil obtained (735 mg, 89%) which solidified as a colorlesscrystal. 1,3,5-C₆H₃ClBrBPin: GC-FID: 11.03 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20°C./min.; 250° C., 10 min.). GC-MS: 10.22 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20°C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.); (m/z) 318. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.32(s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.56 (unresolved dd, 1H), 7.67-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.78(m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.82, 84.51, 122.63, 133.13, 133.82, 134.85,135.56. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.1.

EXAMPLE 26

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of Ph-BCat from benzene andHBCat using (Ind)Ir(COD).

(Ind)Ir(COD) (2.9 mg, 0.007 mmol) and dppe (2.8 mg, 0.007 mmol) weredissolved in C₆H₆ (166 μL) in a GC vial, and transferred to a J. YoungNMR tube. HBCat (42 mg, 0.35 mmol) diluted in C₆H₆ (166 μL) was addedinto the NMR tube. Additional C₆H₆ (166 μL) was used to wash the residueinto the NMR tube. The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oilbath. The conversion of the reaction was monitored by the disappearanceof the resonance for HBCat in the ¹¹B NMR spectra. The product wasconfirmed by GC-MS. GC-MS (m/z) 196.

EXAMPLE 27

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of Ph-BDAN from benzene andHBDAN using precatalyst (Ind)Ir(COD).

(Ind)Ir(COD) (2.9 mg, 0.007 mmol) and dppe (2.8 mg, 0.007 mmol) weredissolved in C₆H₆ (332 μL) in a GC vial, and transferred to the J. YoungNMR tube which was charged with HBDAN (58.6 mg, 0.35 mmol). AdditionalC₆H₆ (166 μL) was used to wash down the residue into the NMR tube. Thereaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion ofthe reaction was monitored by the disappearance of the resonance forHBDAN in the ¹¹B NMR spectra. The product was confirmed by GC-MS. GC-MS(m/z) 244.

EXAMPLE 28

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of Ph-B(NH)₂C₆H₄ from benzeneand HB(NH)₂C₆H₄ using precatalyst (Ind)Ir(COD).

Compound (Ind)Ir(COD) (2.9 mg, 0.007 mmol) and dppe (2.8 mg, 0.007 mmol)were dissolved in C₆H₆ (332 μL) in a GC vial, and transferred to the J.Young NMR tube which was charged with HB(NH)₂C₆H₄ (41.1 mg, 0.35 mmol).Additional C₆H₆ (166 μL) was used to wash down the residue into the NMRtube. The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oil bath. Theconversion of the reaction was monitored by the disappearance of theresonance for HB(NH)₂C₆H₄ in the ¹¹B NMR spectra. The product wasconfirmed by GC-MS. GC-MS (m/z) 194.

EXAMPLE 29

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of Ph-9-BBN from benzene and9-BBN using precatalyst (Ind)Ir(COD).

(Ind)Ir(COD) (2.9 mg, 0.007 mmol) and dppe (2.8 mg, 0.007 mmol) weredissolved in C₆H₆ (332 μL) in a GC vial, and transferred to the J. YoungNMR tube which was charged with 9-BBN (42.6 mg, 0.35 mmol). AdditionalC₆H₆ (166 μL) was used to wash down the residue into the NMR tube. Thereaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion ofthe reaction was monitored by the appearance of the resonance forPh-9-BBN in the ¹¹B spectra. The product was further confirmed bycomparing to authentic sample in GC-MS. GC-MS (m/z) 198.

EXAMPLE 30

This example demonstrates that benzotrifluoride is preferentiallyborylated in the presence of toluene by Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin).

Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin), (15 mg, 0.024 mmol) was dissolved in a pre-mixed 1:1(mole/mole) of benzotrifluoride and toluene (332 μL) in a GC vial, andtransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. Additional solvent mixture (166 μL)was used to wash the residue into the NMR tube. The reaction mixture washeated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion of the reaction wasmonitored by the disappearance of the resonance for Ir(PMe₃)₄(BPin) inthe ¹¹B and ³¹P NMR spectra. The isomer ratios were determined by thearea ratio in the GC-FID chromatogram. The ratio of m-,p-C₆H₄(CF₃)(BPin): o-, m-, p-C₆H₄(Me)(BPin) is 88:12.

EXAMPLE 31

This example demonstrates that benzotrifluoride is preferentiallyborylated in the presence of toluene using a solution of (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃and trimethylphosphine.

(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃, (5 mg, 0.007 mmol) was dissolved in a pre-mixed 1:1(mole/mole) of benzotrifluoride and toluene (332 μL) in a GC vial. 1.5μL PMe₃ was added to the mixture via a microsyringe. The mixture wastransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. Additional solvent mixture (166 μL)was used to wash the residue into the NMR tube. Then HBPin (52 μL, 0.36mmol) was added to the NMR tube via an autopipette. The reaction mixturewas heated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion of the reaction wasmonitored by the disappearance of the resonance for pinacolborane in the¹¹B NMR spectra. The isomer ratios were determined by the area ratio inthe GC-FID chromatogram. The ratio of m-, p-C₆H₄(CF₃)(BPin): o-, m-,p-C₆H₄(Me)(BPin) is 94:6.

EXAMPLE 32

This example demonstrates that benzotrifluoride is preferentiallyborylated in the presence of toluene using a solution of (Ind)Ir(COD)and trimethylphosphine.

(Ind)Ir(COD) (3 mg, 0.007 mmol) was dissolved in a pre-mixed 1:1(mole/mole) of benzotrifluoride and toluene (332 μL) in a GC vial. 1.5μL PMe₃ was added to the mixture via a microsyringe. The mixture wastransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. Additional solvent mixture (166 μL)was used to wash the residue into the NMR tube. Then HBPin (52 μL, 0.36mmol) was added to the NMR tube via an autopipette. The reaction mixturewas heated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion of the reaction wasmonitored by the disappearance of the resonance for pinacolborane in the¹¹B NMR spectra. The isomer ratios were determined by the area ratio inthe GC-FID chromatogram. The ratio of m-, p-C₆H₄(CF₃)(BPin): o-, m-,p-C₆H₄(Me)(BPin) is 94:6.

EXAMPLE 33

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 11 generated in situ and characterized by GC-FID.

Precatalyst 9 (4.9 mg, 7.0×10⁻³ mmol) was charged into a GC-vial in aglove box under N₂. Decane (0.626 M in benzene, 50 μL, 0.0313 mmol),HBPin (51 μL, 0.35 mmol), 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane (2.2 mg,7.0×10⁻³ mmol) and benzene (450 μL) were added. The clear pale yellowsolution was then transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reactionmixture was heated at 150° C. and monitored by ¹¹B and ³¹P NMR. ¹¹B NMR(C₆D₆) δ 28.85 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 30.9 (br s, PhBPin). ³¹PNMR (C₆D₆) δ −51.01 (unresolved t, 2P), −11.05 (unresolved d, 4P). Afterfor 31 h at 100° C., a small aliquot of the reaction mixture was dilutedwith CH₂Cl₂ and a GC-FID chromatogram was obtained. PhBPin (74% GCyield): GC-FID: 8.11 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 250° C., 10min.). GC-MS: 7.71 min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.);(m/z) 204. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.35 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 7.34-7.39 (m, 2H),7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84 (m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 34

This example shows the catalysis by fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₃ in the presenceof (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃.

(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ (2.4 mg, 0.0035 mmol) and fac-Ir(PMe₃)₃(BPin)₃ (5.6 mg,0.007 mmol) dissolved in C₆H₆ (300 μL) were transferred into the J.Young NMR tube which was charged with decane (0.632 M in benzene, 50 μL,0.0316 mmol), and HBPin (51 μL, 0.35 mmol). Additional C₆H₆ (150 μL) wasused to wash the residue into the NMR tube. The reaction mixture washeated at 150° C. in an oil bath. The conversion of the reaction wasmonitored by the disappearance of the resonance for pinacolborane in the¹¹B NMR spectra. After 16 hours at 150° C., a small aliquot of thereaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and a GC-FID chromatogram wasobtained. PhBPin (91% GC yield).

EXAMPLE 35

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 5.

Compound 4 (112 mg, 0.36 mmol) and HBPin (277 mg, 2.17 mmol) weredissolved in was dissolved in 5 ml of benzene. The solution wastransferred to a thick-walled reaction vessel, which was heated for 84 hat 120° C. Compound 4 was converted to compound 5 well before the onsetof catalysis. Residual solvent was removed from the reaction mixture andthe residue was chromatographed on silica (CH₂Cl₂ eluant) to yieldC₆H₅BPin as a colorless solid (153 mg, 0.760 mmol) in 34% yield based onHBPin.

EXAMPLE 36

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of5-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenefrom 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and HBPin using precatalyst 7.

Compound 7, (5 mg, 0.013 mmol) and HBPin (90 mg, 0.70 mmol) weredissolved in 550 μL 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and heated at 150°C. in a constant temperature circulator for 3 hours in a J. Young NMRtube. The solution was transferred to a vial and the solvent removedunder vacuum at room temperature. The residue was chromatographed on asilica gel column, eluting with CH₂Cl₂, to yield 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂(BPin)as a colorless solid (203 mg, 86% based on HBPin). C₆F₅(BPin). Catalyticaddition of HBPin to C₆HF₅ using solutions of compounds 1 or 7 gaveC₆F₅(BPin) as a colorless solid (205 mg, 81% based on HBPin, and 85 mg,41% based on HBPin, for 1 and 3, respectively). mp 35-36° C. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 1.36 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂). ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 29. ¹⁹F NMR (CDCl₃)δ −129.5 (m, 2F), −149.7 (m, 1F), −161.9 (m, 2F). Calc. C. (49.02); H,(4.11). Found C, (48.33); H, (4.59). GC-MS (m/z) 294.

EXAMPLE 37

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-1,3-dimethoxybenzene from1,3-dimethoxybenzene and excess HBPin using precatalyst 7 incyclohexane.

Compound 7 (5.0 mg, 0.012 mmol), 1,3-dimethoxybenzene (97 mg, 0.70 mmol)and HBPin (269 mg, 2.10 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (1 mL) andtransferred to an air-free flask. It was heated at 150° C. and monitoredby GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10 min): 6.49 min(1,3-C₆H₄(OMe)₂), 11.19 min (1,3,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin)), 11.35 min(1,3,5-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin)). The product ratio of1,3,5-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin):1,3,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin), determined by GC-FID ofthe crude reaction mixture, was 89:11. After heating for 32 h at 150° C.the solvent was removed under vacuum at room temperature, and theresidue was chromatographed on silica gel (60-200 mesh) column, usinghexanes to hexanes:ethyl acetate (9:1) as the gradient eluant. Solventremoval gave 1,3,5-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin) as a white solid (114 mg, 62% basedon 1,3-dimethoxybenzene). mp 88-90° C. Rf=0.40 (hexanes:ethylacetate=9:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 3.79 (s, 6H, 2OCH₃), 6.55 (t, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ24.82, 55.40, 83.87, 104.50, 111.53, 160.35. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.8.Elemental analysis for C₁₄H₂₁BO₄ calcd. C, (63.66%); H, (8.01%); N,(0.00%). Found C, (63.58%); H, (8.25%); N, (0.01%). GC-MS (m/z) 264.

EXAMPLE 38

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene and HBPinusing precatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (5.0 mg, 0.012 mmol), benzene (109 mg, 1.4 mmol) and HBPin(45 mg, 0.35 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (0.5 mL) andtransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction was heated at 150° C.and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 28.65 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz,HBPin), 31.3 (br s, PhBPin). After heating for 38 h at 150° C., thesolvent was removed under high vacuum at room temperature, and theresidue was chromatographed on silica gel using hexanes as the eluant.PhBPin (42 mg, 59% based on HBPin) was isolated as a colorless oil.Rf=0.17 (hexanes). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) O 1.35 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.34-7.39(m, 2H), 7.43-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.81-7.84 (m, 2H). GC-MS (m/z) 204.

EXAMPLE 39

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of a mixture of(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene,1,3-bis-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene, and1,4-bis-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)benzene from benzene andHBPin using precatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (5.9 mg, 0.014 mmol), benzene (60 mg, 0.77 mmol), and HBPin(90 mg, 0.70 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (0.5 mL) andtransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction was heated at 150° C.and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 28.65 (d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz,HBPin), 31.7 (br s, PhBPin, 1,3-C₆H₄(BPin)₂ and 1,4-C₆H₄(BPin)₂). Afterheating for 87 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed under high vacuumat room temperature, and the residue was chromatographed on silica gelusing hexanes as the eluant. PhBPin (59 mg, 41% based on HBPin) wasisolated as a colorless oil. An isomer mixture of diborylated productsC₆H₄(BPin)₂ was also isolated (39 mg, 33% based on HBPin).m-C₆H₄(BPin)₂:p-C₆H₄(BPin)₂=2:1 (determined by ¹H NMR integrations).m-C₆H₄(BPin)₂: Rf=0.09 (hexanes). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 24H, 2BO₂C₆H₁₂), 7.36 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (dd, J=7.3, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 8.26(s, 1H). p-C₆H₄(BPin)₂: Rf=0.09 (hexanes). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.33 (s,24H, 2 BO₂C₆H₁₂, 7.79 (s, 4H).

EXAMPLE 40

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)-1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenefrom 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and HBPin using precatalyst 7 incyclohexane.

Compound 7 (5.0 mg, 0.012 mmol), 1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (75 mg,0.35 mmol) and HBPin (45 mg, 0.35 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane(0.5 mL) and transferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction mixturewas heated at 150° C. and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 28.65(d, ¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 30.8 (brs, 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂(BPin)). Afterheating for 10 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed under high vacuumat room temperature, and the residue was chromatographed on silica gelusing CH₂Cl₂ as the eluant. 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂(BPin) was isolated as acolorless solid (105 mg, 88%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 81.35 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂,7.93 (s, 1H), 8.22 (s, 1H). GC-MS (m/z) 340.

EXAMPLE 41

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3,5-C₆H₄Me₂(BPin) and1,3-C₆H₃(CH₃)(CH₂BPin) as an isomeric mixture from m-xylene and HBPinusing

Compound 7 (10.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), m-xylene (75 mg, 0.70 mmol) and HBPin(90 mg, 0.70 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (0.5 mL) andtransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction mixture was heated at150° C. and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 28.65 (d,¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 31.1 (br s, 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₂(BPin) and1,3-C₆H₃(CH₃)(CH₂BPin)). After heating for 59 h at 150° C., the solventwas removed under high vacuum at room temperature, and the residue waschromatographed on silica gel using hexanes as the eluant. The productratio of 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₂(BPin) and 1,3-C₆H₃(CH₃)(CH₂BPin), determinedby GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was 94:6.1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₂(BPin) and 1,3-C₆H₃(CH₃)(CH₂BPin) (91 mg, 56%) wereisolated as a solid mixture of isomers. 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₂(BPin): Rf=0.41(hexanes). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 81.33 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂, 2.30 (s, 6H, 2 CH₃),7.09 (s, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H). GC-MS (m/z) 232.

EXAMPLE 42

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,2,4-C₆H₄(OMe)₂(BPin)from veratrole and HBPin using precatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (5.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), veratrole (97 mg, 0.70 mmol) and HBPin(90 mg, 0.70 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (0.5 mL) andtransferred to a J. Young NMR tube. The reaction mixture was heated at150° C. and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₁₂) δ 28.65 (d,¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 31.4 (br s, 1,2,4-C₆H₃(OCH₃)₂BPin)). Theproduct ratio of uncharacterized1,2-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin):1,2,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin), determined by GC-FID of thecrude reaction mixture, was 98:2. After heating for 37 h at 150° C., thesolvent was removed under high vacuum at room temperature, and theresidue was chromatographed on silica gel using hexanes-ethyl acetateeluant gradient from 20:1 to 10:1. 1,2,4-C₆H₃(OCH₃)₂(BPin) was isolatedas a colorless solid (118 mg, 64%). 1,2,4-C₆H₃(OCH₃)₂(BPin): mp 74-77°C. Rf=0.23 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=9:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H,BO₂C₆H₁₂, 3.88 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.86 (d, J=8.0 Hz,1H), 7.26 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=8.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H). ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃) δ 24.82, 55.71, 55.81, 83.63, 110.42, 116.46, 128.52, 148.28,151.59. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.3. Elemental analysis for C₁₄H₂₁BO₄ calcd.C, (63.66%); H, (8.01%); N, (0.00%). Found C, (63.41%); H, (8.18%); N,(0.01%). GC-MS (m/z) 264.

EXAMPLE 43

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,2,4-C₆H₄(OMe)₂(BPin)from veratrole and excess HBPin using precatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (10.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), veratrole (97 mg, 0.70 mmol) and HBPin(270 mg, 2.1 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (1 mL) and transferredto an air-free flask. The reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. andmonitored by GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10min): 6.19 min (1,2-C₆H₄(OMe)₂), 10.66 min (uncharacterized1,2-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin)), 11.27 min (1,2,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin)). The productratio of uncharacterized 1,2-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin): 1,2,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin),determined by GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was 99:1. Afterheating for 45 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed under high vacuumat room temperature, and the residue was chromatographed on silica gelusing hexanes-ethyl acetate eluant gradient from 20:1 to 10:1.1,2,4-C₆H₃(OCH₃)₂(BPin) was isolated as a colorless solid (153 mg, 82%).

EXAMPLE 44

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of1,3,5-C₆H₄(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin) from 3-methylanisole and excess HBPin usingprecatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (15.0 mg, 0.037 mmol), 3-methylanisole (86 mg, 0.70 mmol) andHBPin (113 mg, 0.88 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (1 mL) andtransferred to an air-free flask. The reaction mixture was heated at150° C. and monitored by GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250°C., 10 min): 4.92 min (1,3-C₆H₄(OCH₃)(CH₃)), 10.23 min (uncharacterized1,3-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin)), 10.45 min (1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin)),10.57 min (uncharacterized 1,3-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin)). The product ratioof 1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)(OCH₃)(BPin) to other unidentified mono-borylatedproducts, determined by GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was92:5:3. After heating for 25 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed underhigh vacuum at room temperature, and the residue was chromatographed onsilica gel using hexanes to hexanes-ethyl acetate (20:1) as the gradienteluant. 1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin) (93 mg, 54%) was isolated as acolorless solid after chromatographed on silica gel using hexanes tohexanes:ethyl acetate (20:1) as the gradient eluant.1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(CH₃)(BPin): mp 55-56° C. Rf=0.52 (hexanes:ethylacetate=20:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.33 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 2.31 (s, 3H,CH₃), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.82 (m, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (m,1H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 21.21, 24.83, 55.23, 83.76, 115.48, 118.79,128.01, 138.91, 159.13. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.9. Elemental analysis forC₁₄H₂₁BO₃ calcd. C, (67.77%); H, (8.53%); N, (0.00%). Found C, (67.54%);H, (8.53%); N, (0.02%). GC-MS (m/z) 248.

EXAMPLE 45

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of1,3,5-C₆H₄(OCH₃)(NMe₂)(BPin) from m-N,N-dimethylanisidine and excessHBPin using precatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (10.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), m-N,N-dimethylanisidine (90 mg, 0.60mmol) and HBPin (305 mg, 2.38 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane (1 mL)and transferred to an air-free flask. The reaction mixture was heated at150° C. and monitored by GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20° C./min; 250°C., 10 min): 7.65 min (1,3-C₆H₄(OCH₃)(NMe₂)), 12.40 min(1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(NMez)(BPin)), 12.60 min (uncharacterized1,3-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(NMe₂)(BPin)). The product ratio of1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(NMe₂)(BPin) to another unidentified mono-borylatedproduct, determined by GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was 95:5.After heating for 19 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed under highvacuum at room temperature, and the residue was sublimed (0.03 mmHg, 80°C.). 1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(NMez)(BPin) was isolated as a colorless solid (124mg, 75%). 1,3,5-C₆H₃(OCH₃)(NMe₂)(BPin): mp 64-66° C. Rf=0.33(hexanes:ethyl acetate=9:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂),2.93 (s, 6H, NMe₂), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.37 (unresolved dd, 1H), 6.70(d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.81,40.72, 55.26, 83.65, 102.90, 106.22, 112.27, 151.59, 160.14. ¹¹B NMR(CDCl₃) δ 30.8. Elemental analysis for C₁₅H₂₄BNO₃ calcd. C, (65.00%); H,(8.73%); N, (5.05%).

Found C, (65.25%); H, (8.98%); N, (4.86%). GC-MS (m/z) 277.

EXAMPLE 46

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of 1,3,5-C₆H₄(NMe₂)₂(BPin)from m-N,N,N,N-tetramethylphenylenediamine and excess HBPin usingprecatalyst 7 in cyclohexane.

Compound 7 (15.0 mg, 0.037 mmol), m-N,N,N,N-tetramethylphenylenediamine(115 mg, 0.70 mmol) and HBPin (269 mg, 2.10 mmol) were dissolved incyclohexane (1 mL) and transferred to an air-free flask. The reactionmixture was heated at 150° C. and monitored by GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2min; 20° C./min; 250° C., 10 min): 9.07 min (1,3-C₆H₄(NMe₂)₂), 13.35 min(1,3,5-C₆H₃(NMe₂)₂(BPin)), 13.53 min (uncharacterized1,3-C₆H₃(NMe₂)₂(BPin)). The product ratio of 1,3,5-C₆H₃(NMe₂)₂(BPin) toanother unidentified mono-borylated product, determined by GC-FID of thecrude reaction mixture, was 97:3. After heating for 28 h at 150° C., theresidue was filtered off and recrystallized from hot cyclohexane.1,3,5-C₆H₃(NMe₂)₂(BPin) was isolated as a colorless solid (140 mg, 69%).1,3,5-C₆H₃(NMe₂)₂(BPin): mp 178-180° C. Rf=0.22 (hexanes:ethylacetate=5:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 2.94 (s, 12H, 2NMe₂), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.23 (t, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.65 (d, J=2.2 Hz,2H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 24.81, 41.05, 83.43, 1.01.30, 108.77, 151.38. ¹¹BNMR (CDCl₃) δ 31.0. HRMS for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₂ calcd. 290.2169, found290.2167. GC-MS (m/z) 290.

EXAMPLE 47

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole-3-BPinfrom N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole and excess HBPin using precatalyst 7 incyclohexane.

Compound 7 (10.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), N-tri-iso-propylsilylpyrrole (156 mg,0.70 mmol) and HBPin (269 mg, 2.10 mmol) were dissolved in cyclohexane(1 mL) and transferred to an air-free flask. The reaction mixture washeated at 150° C. and monitored by GC-FID. GC-FID (70° C., 2 min; 20°C./min; 250° C., 10 min): 8.85 min (N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole), 12.86 min(uncharacterized N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole-BPin), 13.05 min(N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole-3-BPin). The product ratio ofN-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole-3-BPin to another unidentified mono-borylatedproduct, determined by GC-FID of the crude reaction mixture, was 99:1.After heating for 41 h at 150° C., the solvent was removed under highvacuum at room temperature, and the residue was chromatographed onsilica gel using hexanes to hexanes:ethyl acetate (20:1) as the gradienteluant. N-^(i)Pr₃Si-pyrrole-3-BPin (199 mg, 81%) was isolated as acolorless oil. N-^(i)pr₃Si-pyrrole-3-BPin: Rf=0.43 (hexanes:ethylacetate=20:1). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.06 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 18H, 6 CH₃), 1.30 (s,12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.44 (septet, J=7.3 Hz, 3H, 3 CH), 6.60 (dd, J=2.7, 1.2Hz, 1H), 6.79 (dd, J=2.7, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.21-7.22 (unresolved dd, 1H).¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.62, 17.78, 24.84, 82.69, 115.57, 124.96, 133.65.¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.5. HRMS for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₂ calcd. 349.2612, found349.2602. GC-MS (m/z) 290.

EXAMPLE 48

This example shows the catalytic synthesis of1-trimethylsilyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane fromN-trimethylsilylpyrrole and HBPin using precatalyst 7 and characterizedby GC-MS.

Precatalyst 7 (5 mg, 0.012 mmol) and HBPin (45 mg, 0.35 mmol) weredissolved in N-trimethylsilylpyrrole (0.5 mL) and was transferred to aJ. Young NMR tube in a glove box under N₂. The reaction mixture washeated at 150° C. and monitored by ¹¹B NMR. ¹¹B NMR (C₆H₆) δ 28.85 (d,¹J_(BH)=175.1 Hz, HBPin), 34.2 (br s, TMSBPin). After for 8 h at 150°C., a small aliquot of the reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ anda GC-MS chromatogram was obtained. TMSBPin (90% GC yield). GC-MS: 5.00min. (70° C., 2 min.; 20° C./min.; 280° C., 10 min.): (m/z) 201.

EXAMPLE 49

In this example a two-step, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of abiaryl from an arene, a borane, and a halogenated aromatic isdemonstrated. An arylboronate ester is first generated using an Ircatalyst, and is then subsequently coupled to the halogenated aromaticusing a palladium catalyst.

To a small Schlenk tube equipped with a stir bar, in a glove box, wasadded HBPin (224 mg, 1.75 mmol) to mixture of1,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (250 mg, 1.17 mmol), Ir(COD)(Indenyl)(9.7 mg, 0.023 mmol), and dppe (9.3 mg, 0.23 mmol). The tube was sealedand heated at 100° C. for 6 h. The reaction solution was allowed to coolto room temperature and Pd(PPh₃)4 (27.0 mg, 0.234 mmol), iodobenzene(217 mg, 1.06 mmol), Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O (552 mg, 1.75 mmol), and toluene (10mL) were added. The mixture was stirred at 90-95° C. for 16.5 h. Themixture was allowed to cool, additional Ba(OH)₂.8H₂O (200 mg, 0.634mmol) was added, and the solution stirred for 2 h at 90-95° C. Solventwas removed by rotary evaporation and the crude material subjected tocolumn chromatography eluting with hexanes.3,5-Bis(Trifluoromethyl)biphenyl was obtained (46 mg, 15%) as acolorless oil. The assignment was verified by comparison to the GCretention time and ¹H NMR data to an authentic sample prepared from3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl pinacolborane and iodobenzene. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz) 8 8.00 (s, 2H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.58 (m, 2H),7.53-7.42 (m, 3H).

EXAMPLE 50

This example shows the catalytic synthesis ofN-3-chloro-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)phenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrroleand HBPin in cyclohexane using precatalyst 8 and dimethylphosphinoethane(dmpe).

N-3-Chlorophenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrrole (535 mg, 2.6 mmol) was charged intoan air-free flask. (Indenyl)Ir(COD) 8 (21 mg, 0.05 mmol), dmpe (7.5 mg,0.05 mmol) and HBPin (1.0 g, 7.8 mmol) in cyclohexane (5 mL) was added.The reaction mixture was then heated at 100° C. for 44 h.N-3-chloro-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolyl)phenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrrole(93% GC-yield): GC-MS: 12.04 min. (70° C., min.; 20° C. min⁻¹; 280° C.,10 min.); (m/z) 331. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 2.00 (s,6H, CH₃), 5.85 (s, 2H, pyrrolic protons), 7.29 (unresolved dd, 1H),7.49-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.77-7.78 (m, 1H). ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30.5.

EXAMPLE 51

In this example a two-step, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of abiaryl from an arene, a borane, and a halogenated aromatic isdemonstrated. An arylboronate ester is first generated using an Ircatalyst, and is then subsequently coupled to the halogenated aromaticusing a palladium catalyst.

Biphenyl: Closed system: To a J. Young NMR tube, in a glove box, wasadded benzene (437 mg, 5.60 mmol), Ir(COD)(indenyl) (3.0 mg, 0.0070mmol), dppe (2.8 mg, 0.0070 mmol), dodecane (internal standard, 11.5 mg,0.0675 mmol), and HBPin (45 mg, 0.352 mmol). The tube was sealed,removed from the box, and stirred at 100° C. for 18 h. The tube wasallowed to cool to room temperature and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (8.1 mg, 0.007 mmol),K₃PO₄ (112 mg, 0.528 mmol), PhI (72.7 mg, 0.356 mmol), and DME (2 mL)were added. A GC-trace of the reaction mixture revealed PhBPin in 85.7%yield. Three freeze-pump-thaw cycles were performed to remove residualO₂ and the reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. for 2 days. GC analysisshowed biphenyl (81.8% GC-yield), iodobenzene (7.9.7% GC-conversion),and PhBPin (79.1% GC-conversion).

EXAMPLE 52

In this example a two-step, one-pot protocol for the synthesis of abiaryl from an arene, a borane, and a halogenated aromatic isdemonstrated. An arylboronate ester is first generated using an Ircatalyst, and is then subsequently coupled to the halogenated aromaticusing a palladium catalyst.

Open system: To a Schenk tube, in a glove box, was added benzene (1.0mL, 11.2 mmol), Ir(COD)(indenyl) (3.0 mg, 0.0070 mmol), dppe (2.8 mg,0.0070 mmol), dodecane (internal standard, 12.0 mg, 0.070 mmol), andHBPin (45 mg, 0.352 mmol). The tube was sealed, removed from the box,and stirred at 100° C. for 18 h. The tube was allowed to cool to roomtemperature and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (8.5 mg, 0.0074 mmol), K₃PO₄ (112 mg, 0.528mmol), PhI (74.9 mg, 0.367 mmol), and DME (2 mL) was added. A GC-traceof the reaction mixture revealed PhBPin in 78.9% yield. The reactionmixture was degassed by purging with N₂ and heated at 80° C. forovernight. GC analysis showed biphenyl (97.3% GC-yield), iodobenzene(84.1% GC-conversion), and PhBPin (90.7% GC-conversion).

EXAMPLE 53

A comparison of precatalysts Cp*(PMe₃)IR(H)(BPin) (2) andCp*Rh(η⁴-C₆Me₆) (7) in borylations of various substituted arenesrevealed that the Ir system was more selective towards arene C—Hactivation (Cho et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122: 12868-12869 (2000)).Given the importance of selectivity in chemical synthesis, thesefindings spurred a detailed investigation of the original Ir system.Those results are described herewith.

Compound 2 is stable in benzene solutions after prolonged thermolysis,which eliminates several mechanistic possibilities, including PMe₃dissociation to generate Cp*Ir(H)(BPin), an analog of proposedintermediates in the Rh system. However, added PMe₃ strongly inhibitscatalysis where HBPin is present. This indicated that small quantitiesof phosphine-Ir^(V) species could be active. SinceCp*IrH_(4-x)(BPin)_(x) species (x=1, 2) form in the thermolysis ofCp*IrH₄ and HBPin (Kawamura and Hartwig, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123:8422-8423 (2001)), anisole borylations with identical loadings ofCp*IrH₄ and 2 were compared. From this experiment,Cp*IrH_(4-x)(BPin)_(x) intermediates can be eliminated because they arenot kinetically competent for catalysis and the borylationregioselectivities for Cp*IrH₄ and 2 differ substantially. At 150° C.,the following isomer ratios were obtained for anisole borylation with 20mol % precatalyst loadings: Cp*IrH₄, o:m:p=3:49:48; 2 o:m:p=2:79:19.

Exclusion of a simple phosphine dissociative pathway narrows theplausible catalysts to two choices: (i) Ir phosphine species arisingfrom Cp* loss or (ii) species where both Cp* and PMe₃ have been lost.The latter possibility was intriguing in light of Marder's synthesis of(η⁶-arene)Ir(BCat)₃ complexes (Cat=ortho-catecholate) from (Ind)Ir(COD)(8, Ind η⁵-C₉H₇, COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) and HBCat in arene solvents.Using an analogous route, we prepared (η⁶-mesitylene)Ir(BPin)₃ (9wherein B(OR)² is BPin) in 19% yield from (Ind)Ir(COD) and HBPin(Compound 9 has been prepared as an analytically pure white solid.Relevant spectroscopic data included ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ 1.33 (s, 36H,BO₂C₆H₁₂), 2.23 (s, 9H, C₆H₃(CH₃)₃), 5.62 (s, 3H, C₆H₃(CH₃)₃). ¹¹B NMR(C₆D₆) δ 32.5. ¹³C NMR (C₆D₆) δ 19.68, 25.73, 80.95, 96,97, 118.05).Compound 9 reacted with benzene at 150° C. to produce Ir metal and threeequivalents of C₆H₅BPin, but did not catalyze C₆H₅BPin formation frombenzene and HBPin. Thus, it appears that phosphines or related donorligands are required for catalysis.

Utilizing the lability of the mesitylene ligand in 9, Ir phosphinespecies were generated in situ from 9 and appropriate phosphines andsubsequently screened for activity. Borylation using 2 mol % 9 and 4 mol% PMe₃ was viable (Table 2, entry 1), and both catalytic activity andTONs for benzene borylation increased dramatically relative toprecatalyst 2. Borylation rates were appreciable when [P]:[Ir]<3:1, butdecreased dramatically when [P]:[Ir] ratio equals or exceeds 3:1.

The low isolated yields of 9 hampered screening efforts and precludedpractical applications despite the dramatic improvement in catalyticactivity. Hence, we sought alternative means for generating activecatalysts. Since NMR spectra indicated quantitative generation of 9 from8, in situ generation of active catalysts by phosphine addition to 8 wasexamined. Compound 8 was synthesized in 86% yield from indenyl lithiumand [IrCl(COD)₂ (Merola and Kacmarcik, Organometallics 8: 778-784(1989)). This approach was successful and results for benzeneborylations are shown in Table 2 (entries 2-5). Chelating phosphinessubstantially increased activity and TONs as highlighted for1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) where the effective TON of 4500(Table 2, entry 5) represented an improvement of more than 1000-foldover precatalyst 2.

TABLE 2^(a) Arene: Lig- Temp Time Yield Ent. Sub. HBPin Prod. Cat. and(° C.) (h) %  1 C₆H₆ 16:1 PhBPin (MesH)Ir(BPin)₃ PMe₃ 150 15 98^(b) (9) 2 C₆H₆ 16:1 PhBPin (Ind)Ir(COD) PMe₃ 150 18 88^(b) (8)  3 C₆H₆ 16:1PhBPin 8 dppe 150  2 95^(b)  4 C₆H₆ 16:1 PhBPin 8 dmpe 150  2 84  5 C₆H₆16:1 PhBPin 0.02 mol % 8 dmpe 150 61 90^(b)  6 C₆H₆ 16:1 PhBPin(IrCl(COD))₂ dmpe 150  8 74^(b)  7

4:1

8 dmpe 150  1 63  8

1:5

8 dmpe 150 62 76  9

4:1

8 dppe 100  3 81 10

1:1.5

8 dppe 100 14 89 11

1:1.5

8 dppe 100 17 92 12^(c)

1:2

8 dppe 100  4 69 13

10:1 — 8 dppe 100 60 — 14

10:1

9 dppe 100 57 77 15^(c)

1:2

8 dppe 100 25 95 16

1:3

8 dmpe 150 95 82 ^(a)Reactions run in neat arene, Ir = 2 mol %, P:Ir =2:1, and yields are reported for isolated materials unless otherwisenoted. (COD = 1,5,-cyclooctadiene, dmpe = Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂, dppe =Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂). ^(b)GC yield based on HBPin. ^(c)Reactions run incyclohexane.In addition, active catalysts were generated from commercially availablesources such as [IrCl(COD)]₂ (Table 2, entry 6).

If the primary active species generated by PMe₃ addition to 8 and 9 areidentical to those generated from 2, borylations of substituted benzenesshould exhibit similar regio- and chemoselectivities. Anisole is auseful substrate for probing regioselectivity and the meta:para ratiosdetermined from borylations by active species generated by PMe₃ additionto 8 and 9 are similar to those for 2 (For catalysts generated from 4mol % PMe₃ and 2 mol % 8 or 9, the following isomer ratios were obtainedfor anisole borylation at 150° C.: 8, o:m:p=9:74:17; 9, o:m:p=8:75:17.For 8 and 9, ortho borylation increases slightly, which could signify aminor pathway that is not accessible from 2).

To assess chemoselectivities, the ratios of arene to benzylic activationin m-xylene were examined. The selectivities of catalysts generated from8 (13:1) and 9 (12:1) were diminished relative to the selectivity ofprecatalyst 2 (35:1). Nevertheless, the Ir catalysts were more selectivefor arene activation than the Rh catalyst, 7, where the selectivity was7:1 (Cho et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122: 12868-12869 (2000)); a Rhcatalyst that is highly selective for benzylic borylation has beenrecently reported (Shimada et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 40: 2168-2171(2001)), and the addition of one equivalent of the chelating phosphine,1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) per equivalent of 8 or 9generated catalysts where the arene to benzylic selectivities exceeded142:1.

Dramatic differences in chemoselectivities between Ir and Rh catalystswere found for halogenated substrates, where the Ir catalystspreferentially activated C—H bonds. A representative procedure forborylation is given for entry 10 of Table 2. Briefly, in a glove boxunder N₂, compound 8 (57 mg, 0.14 mmol) and dppe (54 mg, 0.14 mmol) weredissolved in HBPin (1.30 g. 10.2 mmol). The solution was transferred toa thick-walled air-free flask containing 1,3-dichlorobenzene (1.00 g,6.80 mmol). The clear yellow solution was heated at 100° C. under N₂ andmonitored by GC-FID. After 14 hours, the reaction mixture was pumpeddown to obtain a brown oil, which was vacuum distilled at 93-94° C.(0.03 mmHg). The resulting oil was then dissolved in Et₂O (10 mL) andwashed with water (5×100 mL). After drying over MgSO₄, ether was removedunder high-vacuum to give 1.65 g (89% yield) of colorless1,3,5-C₆H₃Cl₂BPin (mp 36-38° C.: ¹H NMR (500 MHz. CDCl₃) δ 1.32 (s,12H), 7.41 (t, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 24.82, 84.49, 131.1, 133.7, 134.7. ¹¹B NMR (CDCl₃) δ 30). Goodyields of mono- or tri-borylated products of 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene wereobtained by adjusting the arene:HBPin ratio (Table 2, entries 7 and 8).In contrast, previous attempts to effect multiple borylations of1,3,5-trifluorobenzene using the Rh catalyst 7 led to increaseddefluorination (Cho et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122: 12868-12869 (2000)).Borylations of aromatics with heavier halogen substituents provided aneven starker contrast between Ir and Rh catalysts. For example, Ircatalyzed borylations of 1,3-dichlorobenzene and 1,3-dibromobenzenegenerate meta functionalized products in high yields (entries 10 and11), while dehalogenation is the dominant pathway in Rh catalyzedreactions. Dechlorination was observed during attempted silylations of1,3-dichlorobenzene using closely related Rh catalysts (Ezbiansky etal., Organometallics 17: 1455-1457 (1998). The finding that aromaticC-halogen bonds survived in the Ir catalyzed reactions contrasted thePd-catalyzed reactions of boranes and aryl bromides where the C—Br bondswere converted to C—B or C—H bonds (Murata, et al., J. Org. Chem. 65:164-168 (2000)). Entry 12 of Table 2 illustrates an extension of metaselective borylation to a halogenated heterocycle.

Since aryl iodides have the weakest carbon-hydrogen bonds, they are mostsusceptible towards reductive cleavage by transition metals. Hence, itis not surprising that the Ir catalysts generated from 8 wereineffective in aromatic borylation of iodobenzene (Table 2, entry 13).However, iodobenzene and HBPin reacted smoothly to yield a mixture ofC₆H₄I(BPin) isomers when active catalysts were generated from theIr^(III) source, 9, and dppe (Table 2, entry 14). Thus, Ir catalysts arecompatible with the entire range of aryl halides. Furthermore,functional group tolerance that was previously found in Rh catalyzedborylations extends to Ir catalyzed reactions (viz., ester compatibilityin entry 15 of Table 2) and Ir selectively borylates symmetrical1,2-substituted arenes at the 4-position (Table 2, entry 16).

From a mechanistic standpoint, catalytic cycles involving oxidativeaddition/reductive elimination from Ir^(I/III) and/or Ir^(III/V)intermediates are consistent with the results herein. Within thiscontext, we considered Ir^(I) and Ir^(III) boryl intermediates to be themost likely C—H activating species in the Ir^(I/III) and Ir^(III/V)cycles, respectively. Hence, the Ir^(I) and Ir^(III) boryl complexes,Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ and fac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃, were prepared in order toevaluate their stoichiometric reactions with arenes.

Compounds Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ and fac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ have been fullycharacterized as shown by the following spectroscopic data:Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄, ¹H NMR (C₆D₆, 25° C.) δ 1.24 (s, 12H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.58(b, 36H, PCCH₃)₃). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 38. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −57.5;fac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃, ¹H NMR (C₆D₆) δ 1.34 (S, 36H, BO₂C₆H₁₂), 1.52 (m,27H, P(CH₃)₃). ¹¹B NMR (C₆D₆) δ 36.0. ³¹P{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆) δ −64. Inreactions with arenes, compounds Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ andfac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ both reacted cleanly with benzene to produce PhBPinand the corresponding hydride complexes shown in Equations 2 and 3(FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively), which was consistent with the idea thatIr^(I) or Ir^(III) species can effect arene borylation; however, thearene products from stoichiometric reactions of Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ andfac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ with iodobenzene differed substantially.Specifically, compound Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ reacted rapidly with iodobenzeneat room temperature, but isomers of C₆H₄I(BPin) were not detected, evenafter prolonged thermolysis. Conversely, thermolysis offac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ in iodobenzene produced m- and p-C₆H₄I(BPin) in 54%yield, based on Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃, in addition to a 45% yield of PhBPin.

Since conversion rates in catalytic reactions plummet when [P]:[Ir]ratios equal or exceed 3:1, the observation that Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ andfac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ were not kinetically competent for catalysis wasexpected. However, this does not exclude the possibility that identicalintermediates are generated in the stoichiometric and catalyticreactions. Instead, generation of appropriate intermediates undercatalytic conditions could simply be more efficient. Nevertheless, thestoichiometric transformations lend credence to either Ir^(I) orIr^(III) species mediating C—H activations under catalytic conditions.The reactions of Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ and fac-Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃ withiodobenzene have greater mechanistic implications. For example, theabsence of C₆H₄I(BPin) products in thermolysis of Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄mirrored the failed attempt to borylate iodobenzene using the Ir^(I)precatalyst 8 (Table 2, entry 13). The reactivity of Ir(BPin)₃(PMe₃)₃suggests that an Ir^(III) intermediate may activate C—H bonds in thepresence of C—I bonds, but the chemistry of Ir(BPin)(PMe₃)₄ is moreimportant because it essentially excludes the participation of Ir^(I)species in the successful borylation of iodobenzene using the Ir^(III)precatalyst 9 (Table 2, entry 14).

In summary, an investigation of the original Ir catalytic system, whosepromising selectivities could not be practically implemented due toextremely low effective TONs, has produced a family of efficientborylation catalysts with remarkable regio- and chemoselectivities. Inaddition to providing a direct route to aryl and heteroaryl boroncompounds from boranes and arenes, the viability of a tandem catalyticcascade where the first step is an Ir catalyzed aromatic borylation hasbeen demonstrated.

EXAMPLE 54

This example provides a protocol for performing Rh catalyzed aromaticborylations in cyclohexane. Borylation at the 5-position of several1,3-substituted aromatic species ranging from electron-rich(1,3-(NMe₂)₂C₆H₄) to electron-deficient (1,3-(CF₃)₂C₆H₄) yields thecorresponding aryl boronate esters. Veratrole was selectively borylatedat the 4-position, thus extending regioselectivity to 1,2-substitutedbenzenes. Selective borylation at the 3-position of an N-protectedpyrrole has also been demonstrated, providing a valuable reagent forcross-coupling reactions in a single step.

We have developed a simple protocol for preparing arylboronate esters ingood to moderate yields where the aromatic substrate is the limitingreagent. In addition, we have expanded the scope of selective metaborylation of 1,3-substituted benzenes and have extended the borylationchemistry to protected pyrrole.

For this study, we used Hartwig's precatalyst, Cp*Rh(η⁴-C₆Me₆) (4) (Chenet al., Science 2000, 287, 1995-1997) whose reactivity we compared to Irprecatalysts that were utilized for the catalytic aromatic borylation ofC—H bonds. Although the Ir precatalysts seem to be more selective, theireffective turnover numbers were too low for practical applications. Thepreferential activation of the stronger aryl C—H bonds in the presenceof weaker benzylic C—H bonds is significant, particularly in light ofMarder and co-worker's recent report of selective benzylic borylationusing the precatalyst trans-Rh(Cl)(PiPr₃)₂(N₂) (Shimada et al., Angew.Chem., Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 2168-2171).

Since solutions of 4 do not readily borylate secondary or tertiary C—Hpositions, cyclohexane was an obvious choice for an inert solvent.Indeed, catalytic borylations in cyclohexane using 2 mol % of 4 with amodest excess of pinacolborane (HBPin) gave boronate esters inreasonable yields (Table 3). Reactions were performed in sealed vesselsat 150° C. until ¹¹B NMR spectra indicated that most of the borane hadbeen consumed. Crude mixtures were analyzed by GC-MS and the reportedyields are for isolated products. In cases where isomers were produced,compounds were separated by chromatography, unless otherwise noted.

We have found that trace solvent impurities can inhibit catalyticborylations. With the exception of benzene, the substrates have beenselected to test the generality of sterically directed borylation.

For benzene three sets of conditions were employed (Table 3, entries1-3). In the first case, borylation was examined with equimolarquantities of benzene and HBPin.

TABLE 3 HPBin: Product Entry Arene arene Time (yield)  1 C₆H₆ 1:4 36 hPhBPin (59)  2^(a) C₆H₆ 1:1 57 h PhBPin (41) m-, p-C₆H₄(BPin)₂ (33, m:p= 2:1)  3^(b) C₆H₆ 4:1 61 h m-C₆H₄(BPin)₂ p-C₅H₄(BPin)₂1,3,5-C₆H₄(BPin)₂  4

1:1 10 h

 5

3:1 28 h

 6^(c)

3:1 32 h

 7

4:1 19 h

 8^(d)

1:1 59 h

 9

1.2:1 25 h

10

3:1 45 h

11

3:1 41 h

^(a)Diborylated isomers were not separated; ^(b)isomer mixturecontaining small amounts of PhBPin; ^(c)1,2,3-(OMe)₂C₆H₃(BPin) wasisolated in 2% yield; ^(d)m-C₆H₄(Me)(CH₂BPin) was isolated in 6% yield.The isolated yields of products based on borane as the limiting reagentare 41% for PhBPin and 33% for C₆H₄(BPin)₂ both as a 2:1 mixture of metaand para isomers. Using a 4:1 ratio of benzene to borane, diborylationis minimized and PhBPin can be isolated in 59% yield. If a moderateexcess of HBPin is used, the major species in the crude reaction mixtureare m-C₆H₄(BPin)₂, p-C₆H₄(BPin)₂, and 1,3,5-C₆H₃(BPin)₃ in anapproximate 1.0:1.2:1.7 ratio as determined from GC and NMR data.Further purification was not attempted; however, comparison of theweight of the crude mixture (311 mg) to the combined weights of HBPin,C₆H₆, and catalyst (340 mg) indicates efficient conversion to borylatedspecies.

In cyclohexane solvent, 1,3-substituted arenes yield 1,3,5-substitutedaryl boronate esters as major products (entries 4-9). Reactivities forarene substrates were similar except for 1,3-(CF₃)₂C₆H₄, which wassubstantially more reactive. In a previous report (Cho et al., J. Am.Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 12868-12869), significant benzylic activation wasobserved in neat m-xylene. To determine whether acceptable yields formethyl-substituted arenes could be obtained, 1 equiv of HBPin was usedfor the borylation of m-xylene in cyclohexane. The aryl and benzylboronate esters were separated, with the aryl product being favored by afactor of about 9:1. For 3-methylanisole, a modest excess of HBPin wasused and the 1,3,5-substituted major product was readily obtained in 54%yield after chromatography. Entries 7 and 9 demonstrate that preferencefor borylation at the 5-position holds for unsymmetrically substitutedarenes. We attempted the borylation of m-dichlorobenzene and found amixture of products with unreacted arene, chlorobenzene, ClC₆H₄(BPin),and Cl₂C₆H₄(BPin) isomers as the major species. This is not surprisingsince we previously observed competitive C—H and C—F activation usingthe same precatalyst for borylations of fluorinated arenas (Cho et al.,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 12868-12869. Consequently, no otherhalogenated arenes were examined. An attempted borylation ofbenzonitrile led to nitrile reduction instead of aromatic C—Hactivation.

Entries 10 and 11 represent extensions of directed borylations to1,2-substituted arenes and pyrrole. For veratrole, two isomers weredetected by GC in a 99:1 ratio with the expected major product being1,2,4-C₆H₃(OMe)₂(BPin). After chromatographic purification, the majorisomer was isolated in 82% yield. Direct borylations of pyrrole andtrimethylsilyl pyrrole were ineffective. However, selective borylationat the less hindered 3-position could be achieved by increasing thesteric bulk of the silyl protecting group. The regiochemistry of theborylation was verified by preparing the known phenyl-substitutedpyrrole (Alvarez et al. J. Org. Chem. 1992, 57, 1653-1656) via theSuzuki coupling of the pyrrolyl boronate ester with IC₆H₅.

The pyrrole result represents an important extension of the arenechemistry because selective functionalization at the 3-position isconsiderably more difficult than at the 2-position. For example, thebest reported synthesis of 3-^(i)Pr₃SiNC₄H₃(B(OH)₂) involves iodinationof ^(i)Pr₃SiNC₄H₄ by N-iodosuccinamide to afford 3-^(i)Pr₃SiNC₄H₃I,generation of the lithiated pyrrole with tBuLi, quenching with B(OMe)₃,and hydrolytic workup to afford the boronic acid in 27% yield from^(i)Pr₃SiNC₄H₄ (Alvarez et al. J. Org. Chem. 1992, 57, 1653-1656). In asingle step, the reaction in entry 11 of Table 3 provides a stablesource of the boronic acid in 81% yield.

In summary, we have shown that cyclohexane can serve as an inert solventfor Rh-catalyzed borylations of arenes. In addition, selectiveborylation at the 5-position of 1,3-substituted arenes has beendemonstrated for a broader range of substrates, including dimethylresorcinol and 1,3-(NMe₂)₂C₆H₄ where functionalizations at the5-position are difficult. An example of regioselective borylation of asymmetric, 1,2-substituted arene has been demonstrated for veratrole.Last, ^(i)Pr₃SiNC₄H₄ has been selectively borylated at the less hindered3-position in high yield.

While the present invention is described herein with reference toillustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited hereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access tothe teachings herein will recognize additional modifications andembodiments within the scope thereof. Therefore, the present inventionis limited only by the claims attached herein.

1. A catalytic composition comprising: an iridium complex of theformula: (BY)_(n)—Ir-(ligand)_(m) with three or more n and msubstituents, excluding hydrogen, bonded to the iridium BY is a boronmoiety and the ligand is selected from the group consisting of aphosphorus organic ligand, an organic amine, an imine, a nitrogenheterocycle, and an ether wherein the ligand is at least in part bondedto the iridium.
 2. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein thephosphorus organic ligand is selected from the group consisting oftrimethyl phosphine (PMe₃), 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe), and1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe).
 3. The catalytic composition ofclaim 1 wherein the iridium complex is (ArH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein ArH isselected from the group consisting of aromatic, heteroaromatic,polyaromatic, and heteropolyaromatic hydrocarbon; and BY is a boronmoiety of the formula

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 4. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (MesH)Ir(BY)₃ wherein MesH is mesitylene; and BY is a boronmoiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 5. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or 2; and BY isa boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 6. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)_(n)(BY)_(3-n) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; n is 0, 1, or2; and BY is a boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 7. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ areeach selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl,aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, andR₁₃ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected from thegroup consisting of a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and BY is a boron moiety selected from the group consistingof

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 8. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₃Ir (H)(R₁₇)(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl,branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; R₁₇ is selected fromthe group consisting of a linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and BY is a boron moiety selected from the group consistingof

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 9. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is {(PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PY₇P)) wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 10. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is (PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BYis a boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide(—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure; and (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉,R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 11. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is (PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ whereinBY is a boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 12. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is {(PP)Ir(BY)₃}₂(μ₂-(PP)) wherein BY is aboron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 13. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide(—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 14. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 15. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moiety selected from thegroup consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, andR₂₁ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linearalkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 16. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is (PP)Ir(BY)₃ wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 17. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl,alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide (—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 18. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₄Ir(BY) wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are eachselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl, branchedalkyl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure; and BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure.
 19. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide(—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure; and (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉,R₂₀, and R₂₁ are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 20. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is (PP)(P(Y₄)(Y₅)(Y₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY isa boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; Y₄, Y₅, and Y₆ are each selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, halide, alkyl, aryl, alkoxide (—O(R₁₁)), and amide(—N(R₁₂)(R₁₃)) wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, and R₁₃ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbonatoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in acyclic structure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 21. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is (PY₇P)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BY is a boron moietyselected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; (PY₇P) is R₁₈R₁₉P—Y₇—PR₂₀R₂₁ wherein R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, and R₂₁are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear alkylcontaining 1 to 8 carbon atoms, branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, and a carbon in a cyclic structure, and Y₇ is a chaincontaining 1 to 12 carbons.
 22. The catalytic composition of claim 1wherein the iridium complex is (PP)(P(R₁₄)(R₁₅)(R₁₆))₂Ir(BY) wherein BYis a boron moiety selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are each selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, linear alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms,branched alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbons, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; R₁₄, R₁₅, and R₁₆ are each selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and a carbon in a cyclicstructure; and wherein (PP) is of the formula

wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈, and R₂₉ are each selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl chains, carbocyclic rings, and arylgroups.
 23. The catalytic composition of claim 1 wherein the iridiumcomplex is selected from the group consisting of (Cp*)Ir(H)₂(Me₃P),(Cp*)Ir(H)(BPin)(Me₃P), (CP*)Ir(H)(C₆H₅)(Me₃P), (Ind)Ir(COD),(MesH)Ir(BPin)(B(OR)₂), ((R₁)₃P)₃Ir(B(OR₂)₂)₃, (R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃,[((R₁)₂P)₃Ir((R₂O)₂B)₃]₂, ((R₁)₃P)₄Ir(BPin), ((R₁)₂P)₂Ir(BPin)₃,(MesH)Ir(BPin)₃, IrCl(COD), and [IrCl(COD)]₂, wherein CP* is1,2,3,4,5-methylcyclopentadienyl, BPin is pinacolborane, Me is methyl, His hydrogen, P is phosphorus, Ind is indenyl, COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene,MesH is mesitylene, and wherein R, R₁, and R₂ are each selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched alkyl containing 1 to 8carbons, aryl, and a carbon in a cyclic structure.